Glossary of Terms
Seabury Divinity School, Faribault, Minnesota
See Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.
Seabury Press
A church-owned publishing house that was sold in 1984. Lewis Bliss Whittemore (1885-1965), Bishop of Western Michigan, called attention to the lack of progress in Christian education throughout the Episcopal […]
Seabury Series, The
A comprehensive parish education program of the Episcopal Church that was published between 1948 and 1970. The program included a series of six basic books, The Church's Teaching Series, which […]
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
An accredited seminary of the Episcopal Church, located in Evanston, Illinois. Seabury-Western was the result of the merger of Seabury Divinity School, Faribault, Minnesota, and the Western Theological Seminary, Chicago, […]
Seabury, Samuel
(Nov. 30, 1729-Feb. 25, 1796). First bishop in the Episcopal Church. He was born in Groton, Connecticut, and graduated from Yale College in 1748. He read theology under his father […]
Seabury, Samuel
(June 9, 1801-Oct. 10, 1872). Priest, educator, and editor. The grandson and namesake of the first bishop of the Episcopal Church, he was born in New London, Connecticut. Although he […]
Seal of Baptism
After baptism, the bishop or priest places a hand on the head of the newly baptized person, marking the forehead with the sign of the cross, addressing each one by […]
Seal of Confession
A penitent may seek a priest for listening to his or her confession of sins, declaring genuine sorrow and promising amendment of life together with restitution, where possible, to those […]
Seal of the Episcopal Church
See Episcopal Church Flag and Seal.
Search Committee
A group charged to identify candidates for the position of bishop, rector, or other ministry in the life of the church. It may be the responsibility of the search committee […]
Seasonal Blessings
The BOS provides seasonal blessings for Advent, Christmas season, Epiphany, Easter season, the Day of Pentecost, the First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, and All Saints. In place of a […]
Second Song of Isaiah, The
See Quaerite Dominum.
Secularizing a Consecrated Building
This service is used to deconsecrate and secularize a consecrated building that is to be taken down or used for other purposes. The form for this service is provided by […]
Seder Meal
At this traditional Jewish Passover meal the story of the Exodus (haggadah) is read and ritual actions are performed. The seder today consists of fourteen elements: 1) Kiddush, the blessing […]
Sedilia
This triple seat in the sanctuary of a church is for the celebrant, deacon, and sub-deacon at solemn Mass. It is usually a bench with a back divided into thirds. […]
See
The bishop's throne or chair. The term is from the Latin, “seat.” The episcopal throne is a symbol of the bishop's authority and jurisdiction. It is typically located in the […]
Seedlings, Inc
A ministry providing Christian Education materials. It has a special concern to address the needs of very small churches. The Rev. Betty Works Fuller began publishing a Sunday School curriculum […]
Selwyn, George Augustus
(Apr. 5, 1809-Apr. 11, 1878). First Church of England Bishop of New Zealand. He was born in Hempstead, London, England. Selwyn was educated at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge. […]
Seminarian
A seminary student. See Seminary.
Seminary
Theological school for training ordained and lay leaders of the church. Those seeking to be ordained typically participate in a three-year course of studies leading to the Master of Divinity […]
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.