Glossary of Terms
Laurence
(or Lawrence), Saint (d. Aug. 10, 258). Deacon and martyr. Laurence was ordained a deacon by Pope Sixtus II. He was made chief of the seven deacons in Rome. When asked by the Roman governor during the persecution under emperor Valerian to surrender the church's riches, Laurence gathered together a large number of the blind, […]
Laus tibi
Praise to you, Lord Christ.” The term is from the opening words of the statement in Latin. It is the people's response to the gospel at the eucharist (BCP, p. 358). It follows the concluding statement by the gospeler, “The Gospel of the Lord.” This response was included in the 1928 BCP on an optional […]
Lavabo
Ceremonial cleansing of the celebrant’s hands at the offertory of the eucharist. The term is from the Latin, “I will wash,” taken from the opening of Ps 26:6, “I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, that I may go in procession round your altar.” This verse was traditionally recited by the celebrant during […]
Law, William
(1686-Apr. 9, 1761). Spiritual writer, priest, and Non-Juror. Law is most famous as the author of A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1728), which is a call to a life of piety and devotion. A holy life is devotion to God and a regular method of daily prayer. A Serious Call, which […]
Lawrence, Charles Radford II
(May 2, 1915-Apr. 3, 1986). The first African American president of the House of Deputies. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Lawrence received his B.A. from Morehouse College in 1936, his M.A. from Atlanta University in 1938, and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1952. Lawrence taught in the Atlanta public schools, 1936-1939. He was […]
Lawrence, William
(May 30, 1850- Nov. 6, 1941). Bishop, educator, fund-raiser, and primary founder of the Church Pension Fund. He articulated a theology of Christian stewardship known as the “Gospel of Wealth.” In an article entitled “The Relation of Wealth to Morals” (1901), he argued that God gives wealth only to those who are moral. The wealthy […]
Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM)
Lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go […]
Lay Ministry
The term refers to the many ways the laity of the church live out their baptismal covenant. The laity are the people of the church, those who have been baptized. It generally refers to those who have not been ordained. The term “laity” is derived from the Greek word for “people.” Lay ministry is exercised […]
Lay Order
The laity are the people of the church, those who have been baptized. The term “laity” generally refers to those who have not been ordained. In a vote “by orders” at a church convention, clergy and laity vote separately. An affirmative decision requires a majority of votes in each order to pass. See Lay Ministry.
Lay Preacher
A lay person licensed by the bishop to preach. This ministry is licensed under the provisions of the canon for licensed lay persons. The lay preacher must be a confirmed adult communicant in good standing, and recommended by the member of the clergy in charge of the congregation. Guidelines for training and selection of lay […]
Lay Professional
Lay people employed in the mission and ministry of the church who regard their work as a vocation. These lay professionals see their work as their response to God's call in their lives and have acquired appropriate preparation and training for their work. They are committed to continuing education to improve their skills and to […]
Lay Reader
A lay reader may lead the Daily Offices of the church. If needed, a lay reader may lead the liturgy for the Holy Eucharist through the prayers of the people, concluding with the Lord's Prayer and the grace, or with the exchange of the peace (BCP, p. 407). A lay reader may also lead the […]
Lay, Henry Champlin
(Dec. 6, 1823-Sept. 17, 1885). Bishop of the Southwest, Arkansas, and Easton. He was born in Richmond, Virginia. Lay graduated from the University of Virginia in 1842, and from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1846. He was ordained deacon on July 10, 1846, and began his ministry at Lynnhaven Parish in Virginia. Lay was ordained […]
Laying on of Hands
A significant ritual action in several sacramental rites. It is an external sign of the bestowal of God's grace through the prayer or the ministry of the one laying on hands, whether for spiritual growth or ministry or forgiveness or healing. It is the action which accompanies the prayer of consecration in ordination rites. It […]
Layman’s Magazine
The first weekly publication in the Episcopal Church, this periodical was edited by the Rev. Benjamin Allen (1789-1829) from 1815 through 1816. It carried church news and stories for lay persons. The last issue available is dated Nov. 7, 1816.
Layman’s Magazine of the Living Church
This journal was published as one of the weekly issues of The Living Church. It was also published as a separate monthly periodical from Feb. 1940 until Sept. 1941.
Le Jau, Francis
(1665-Sept. 10, 1717). Colonial rector and missionary. He was born in Algiers, France, of Huguenot parents. Le Jau fled France when the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. The Edict of Nantes had given freedom to the French Huguenots. He went to England. At some time before 1700 he was a Canon in St. […]
Leadership Academy for New Directions (LAND)
A mission development program for the church in small communities. It is primarily designed to serve archdeacons, rural deans, rectors of cluster parishes, members of diocesan boards or commissions, or others concerned with planning, training, coordination, or supervision in areas having small communities and (usually) small churches. In contrast to the usual demeaning status of […]
Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Small Churches
A joint venture of the Standing Commission on Church Music and the Virginia Theological Seminary. The goal of the program's work is to discover and implement ways to help small parishes in church music endeavors which might lead to more effective, inclusive, and inspirational worship. The Presiding Bishop's Diploma in Church Music is awarded to […]
Leaming, Jeremiah
(1717-Sept. 15, 1804). The first person elected Bishop in Connecticut, Leaming declined to be consecrated because of age and infirmities. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, Leaming was baptized on May 12, 1717, at Durham, Connecticut, as a Congregationalist. He graduated from Yale College in 1745. While at Yale, Leaming left Congregationalism and joined the Church of […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.