A religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church, often linked with key points in a person's life such as birth, marriage and death. They are practised by the Church in order to express its beliefs about the issues involved.

Something which is holy or devoted to God.

• The area in which the altar stands.
• In medieval times the right of safe conduct granted to those the fled pursuit and could grasp the church door knocker. See the page The Sanctuary.

Anything that is not religious.

A set of seats (usually three) for the clergy by the south wall of the chancel. See the page The Sanctuary.

A talk generally given by a priest or minister in church on a spiritual or moral theme, usually as part of a church service. It often explains the meaning and implications of a passage from the Bible.

The day before Ash Wednesday, and on which pancakes are traditionally eaten in the UK. See the page Shrove Tuesday.

People who greet all who come to Services with a welcome, the necessary hymnbooks and Service sheets, oversee seating arrangements in the church and if there are visitors or newcomers they provide all the help they need to make them feel at home in our church. During the Service they may help latecomers or parents with young children, take the collection or sometimes direct the congregation as they go up to communion. See the page Sidespersons.

A tall pyramid or cone-like structure built on a tower. See the page The Tower and Spire.

Stained glass windows have been described as 'illuminated wall decorations'. The design of a window may be non-figurative or figurative. It may incorporate narratives drawn from the Bible, history or literature, or represent saints or patrons. It may have symbolic motifs. Windows within a building may be thematic, for example episodes from the life of Christ. See the pages Stained Glass Windows.

A long, narrow rectangular Eucharistic garment that is worn around the neck so that it hangs down in front of the wearer’s legs, ending below the knees. It is usually the appropriate color for the season. Only ordained clergy wear a stole. A deacon can also wear a stole, but it is customary for a deacon to wear it over the left shoulder, tied at the waist on the right side, so that the stole hangs diagonally across the chest. A stole can be worn over a robe, an alb, or a cassock. See the page Clergy Clothes.

The Christian holy day; day of rest.

A loose, white, wide-sleeved garment worn by the clergy and assisting laymen. It is only worn over a cassock, never by itself. The cassock and surplice combination is very common in Anglican churches, where it is worn by both clergy and lay worship leaders. See the page Clergy Clothes.

Local or special ecclesiastical meetings where decisions are made.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Synoptic means with one eye, signifying that the synoptic gospels, as opposed to the gospel according to John, tend to have the same perspective on Jesus’ ministry.