There Are Many Rooms

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. -John 14

Dear Friends,

Our kickoff to the program year is just around the corner – September 10! As we begin our new rhythm together Dick Ficther and I continue our summer wonderings. We thought it would be fun to introduce (or re-introduce) us to the different parts of the church building. Next month many of us will be making our way to The National Cathedral for the acolyte festival. Learning about these parts may be fun. 
Many of the parts have names that may sound funny to our ears some times. And, isn’t it fun to broaden our vocabulary?!

Note: The definitions have been taken from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church from the Diocese of Virginia website. Want to discover more? Click the following Link: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary!

The Narthex
Is an entry space, foyer, or anteroom of a church between the door and the nave. The term is from the Greek for a “small case.” Historically, the narthex was an enclosed vestibule or porch of a basilica. Catechumens (people who were to be confirmed0 and penitents stood in the narthex during the service. It also may serve as a place for the gathering and formation of processions and a place for people to wait before services begin.

The Nave
Is the place in the church building for the congregation. It is between the sanctuary and the narthex or entry of the church building. The term may be derived from the Latin navis, “ship,” which was an early symbol of the church.

The Sacristy
Is the room adjoining a church where vestments, altar hangings and linens, sacred vessels, and liturgical books are kept until needed for use in worship. At Epiphany, it is the room behind the sanctuary which contains the altar. The clergy typically vests in the sacristy. However, this is not true for Epiphany, as the vestments are in a separate room where the clergy and others such as acolytes vest.

Did you know that Epiphany’s sacristy also contains a: Piscina, which is: A small sink, basin, or niche that empties into the earth instead of a sewer. It is typically located in the sacristy or in the wall of the sanctuary. It may be used for the reverent disposal of consecrated wine from the eucharist, blessed water from baptism, and water used in washing vessels that have been used for a sacred purpose.

The sacristy contains the switch that rings Epiphany’s BELL! Have you ever heard Epiphany’s bell ringing? In the past, the children would be excited to ring the bell. We look forward to getting that started again! 

Sanctuary  
Holy place, usually the worship space of a church. Sanctuary may mean the area around the altar, especially in liturgical churches. It may be separated from the rest of the church by an altar rail along which a portion of the congregation would receive communion. At Epiphany, there is no altar rail, but instead, the sanctuary is the raised platform, steps above the nave floor.
It may also refer to the entire chancel area, including the choir and/or the space reserved for the clergy. It may also refer to the entire interior of the church where worship takes place.
Historically, a sanctuary would be a place of safe refuge for criminals or fugitives. This is also known as the right of sanctuary. It is based on the understanding that holy places such as churches are not subject to the powers of this world. In modern times, churches have provided sanctuary for refugees and illegal aliens. The right of sanctuary in cities of refuge was available in OT times for one who killed a person without intent (Nm 35:9-15; Ex 21:13).

Altar
The structure, also known as “the Lord’s Table,” “the Holy Table,” and “the Table,” where the offerings are presented, and the elements of bread and wine are consecrated in the eucharist.

Reservation of the Sacrament
Following ancient custom, the BCP provides that the consecrated bread and wine may be reserved for the communion of the sick or others who for “weighty cause” could not be present at the celebration or for administration of communion by a deacon to a congregation when a priest is unavailable (pp. 408-409).

The sacrament may also be reserved on Maundy Thursday for communion on Good Friday. It is customary to keep the consecrated elements in a tabernacle or an aumbry or covered with a veil on a table or altar. A lamp or candle burns nearby to announce the presence of the reserved sacrament. This light is known as a sanctuary lamp if the reservation is near the altar. Although not provided for by the BCP, the reserved sacrament is used for benediction and private devotions in some parishes with an Anglo-catholic piety.

Aumbry
A cupboard or secure receptacle in the side wall of the sanctuary or sacristy. Aumbries traditionally have been used to keep sacred vessels, books, reliquaries, and oils for anointing. Aumbries may also be used for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.

Sanctuary Lamp
A lamp or candle which burns near the reserved sacrament when the reservation is near the altar. At Epiphany, the sanctuary lamp is mounted on the right-hand wall, viewed from the congregation, and is next to the aumbry. The lamp is lit when the aumbry contains reserved sacrament.

Did you know? 
The Altar Guild is a group of volunteers who work diligently and tirelessly caring for all of the above and preparing for all services including cleanup, washing, ironing, maintenance, and repair of the articles necessary for a service. For example, the altar candles are candle-looking cylinders that need to be periodically filled with paraffin oil and their wicks trimmed. It is an honor and rewarding to serve on the altar guild! Come check it out!

In Peace,
Rev. Dina and Dick Ficther

Remember that THIS Sunday, Sept 10 is the kickoff to our new program
year! Please come join us for worship and a lot of fun after!
Bring a side dish to share!