The beginning of the church year and the time of preparation immediately before Christmas. It begins on the Sunday four weeks before Christmas Day - the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day (30 November). The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or coming and it refers to the coming of Jesus. See the page Advent.

Two aisles, north and south, run down the sides of the church with the nave in the middle. See the pages The North Aisle and The South Aisle.

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They mean the beginning and the end and so remind us that God is the beginning and the end of all things and suggest his everlasting nature. See some on the page Symbols in the Church.

A raised table used for the celebration of the Eucharist/Holy Communion. It is sometimes called the 'Lord's Table' or the 'Communion Table' because it represents the table where Jesus shared the last supper with his disciples. It is placed centrally in front of the congregation. See one on the page The Sanctuary.

An image-bearing structure positioned on the rear of the altar.

A member or supporter of the Church of England. Anglican is derived from the Latin Ecclesia Anglicana meaning the English Church. The word is applied to the world wide communion of churches which are derived from the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Episcopal Church of Scotland, and the Church of Ireland.

Means 'In the Year of Our Lord' and indicates the number of years since the birth of Christ. A.D. is now often replaced by C.E., meaning 'Common Era' and by B.C.E. meaning 'Before the Common Era'.

The term apostle is derived from the New Testament Greek word apostolos, meaning one who is sent forth as a messenger. An apostle is different from a disciple who is a follower or a student who learns from a 'teacher'. Traditionally, Jesus is said to have had Twelve Apostles who spread the Gospel after his Crucifixion. Apostles can also be used in the more general sense of 'followers of Jesus'.

Most senior rank of Christian minister in the Anglican Church who is responsible for a group of diocese (Province).

A senior clergyman in a diocese, working to the bishop and responsible for the welfare of clergy and diocesan management issues.

Part of a diocese.

Jesus' return to Heaven at the end of his life on earth. See the page Ascension Day.

Ascension Day happens forty days after Jesus' resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday and always falls on a Thursday. The name 'ascension' comes from the stories in the Bible in Mark's Gospel and Luke's Gospel that tell of Jesus ascending (rising up) to heaven. It marks Christ's final appearance on earth. See the page Ascension Day.

The day after Shrove Tuesday and the first day of Lent, a forty day period leading up to Easter. Some Christians have their foreheads marked with an ash cross as a mark of their sorrow and a reference to death and judgement. See the page Ash Wednesday.

The aumbry is a locked cabinet or safe in the wall to hold the host (consecrated bread) that is not used during the normal communion. See one on the page The Sanctuary.