A number of terms often used in the Church of England with an attempt explain what they really mean!
C. E., Church of England, Anglican. These terms all refer to the 'type' of church we are. The Church of England is the established church of the state, different to the Roman Catholic church, the Methodist church, or the Baptist church, for instance.
Parish. The geographical area that a local church seeks to serve. Typically there is just one Anglican church in the parish, but in Baildon we have 3. The parish and its running is the responsibility of the vicar (see below for the definition of a vicar!). There is an elected 'governing body' within the parish called the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Deanery. A Deanery is a larger geographical area made up of a number of parishes. Baildon is one of the parishes in the Deanery of Airedale, which has in total 19 churches. Overseeing the churches in a Deanery is a Rural Dean, who typically is also the vicar of one of the parishes. In Airedale our Rural Dean is the Reverend Derek Jackson. Deanery matters are discussed by a body of people elected from the various parishes. This 'governing body' is referred to as the Deanery Synod.
Diocese. Bigger still, a diocese is an area made up of a number of Deaneries. There are 8 Deaneries in the Diocese of Bradford. Again the 'governing body' is called Diocesan Synod (as opposed to Deanery Synod), and all matters are the responsibility of the Diocesan Bishop. The Bishop of Bradford is The Right Reverend David James.
Archdeaconry. The Diocese of Bradford is neatly divided into 2 Arcdeaconries each of which has 4 Deaneries. Our Deanery, Airedale, is one of the 4 Deaneries in the Archdeaconry of Bradford. Matters at this level are overseen by the Archdeacon of Bradford, The Venerable David Lee. Much of David's time will be spent with the 'nuts and bolts' of practical church matters, helping parishes with building projects and changes in their physical environment. The Archdeacon of Craven, The Venerable Paul Slater, oversees similar matters in the northern end of the Diocese.
Vicar, Priest, Curate, Deacon, etc. Often used as if they were interchangable, each of these roles are actually a little different:
Curate. 'a trainee vicar', recently ordained (suitably called, trained, qualified and then licensed by the Bishop) a curate will typically serve in a parish for 3 or 4 years. During this time he or she will be trained ready for the role of Vicar.
Vicar. The person responsible for the matters of the local church, the vicar has been a curate and has total control of all the matters of the church and parish.
Deacon. When first ordained and for the first year, a curate is known as a Deacon. During this year he or she is picking up the basics of the ordained role in the parish, and there are some things that they are not able to do i.e. conduct weddings and lead a communion service.
Priest. At the end of the year as a Deacon, an ordained minister is ordained again as a priest. This enables him or her to conduct weddings and to lead holy communion. Therefore one parish may have any number of priests (some of which may be paid and some may not be) but there will only be one Vicar.
Vicar, Priest, Curate, Deacon, etc. Often used as if they were interchangable, but all these roles are actually a little different from each other.
Curate. 'a trainee vicar', recently ordained (suitably called, trained, qualified and then licensed by the Bishop) a curate will typically serve in a parish for 3 or 4 years. During this time he or she will be trained ready for the role of Vicar.
Vicar. The person responsible for the matters of the local church, the vicar has been a curate and has total control of all the matters of the church and parish.
Deacon. When first ordained and for the first year, a curate is known as a Deacon. During this year he or she is picking up the basics of the ordained role in the parish, and there are some things that they are not able to do i.e. conduct weddings and lead a communion service.
Priest. At the end of the year as a Deacon, an ordained minister is ordained again as a priest. This enables him or her to conduct weddings and to lead holy communion. Therefore one parish may have any number of priests (some of which may be paid and some may not be) but there will only be one Vicar.
Archbishop. The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend and Honourable Rowan Williams, oversees all the matters of the Church of England, and he is assisted here by the Archbishop of York, The Right Reverend and Honourable John Sentamu.
There are many other people, who are not ordained, who work tirelessly for the local church. Some of these have specific roles:
- Churchwarden. Licensed by the Bishop, responsible for the business side of church and parish management, with much of their work being behind the scenes.
- Sidesperson. Sees to the practical running of services in the church, setting up, welcoming, giving out books and the such like. Typically these are the first persons you will meet when you go to a church service. These also take a collection during the service.
- Server. During communion you will see these people helping the priest at the front with the bread and wine.
- Crucifer. Heads the choir procession, typically carrying a cross on a long stick.
