Glossary of Terms
Platte, Missionary District of The
The 1889 General Convention voted to divide the Diocese of Nebraska and create the Missionary District of The Platte. This Missionary District, under several different names, existed until 1946. It […]
Pledge
A commitment to give one's time, talents, and money as an expression of faith and a personal response to God's generosity. Parish members are encouraged to make an annual stewardship […]
Plenary Inspiration
The belief that the entire Bible comes from authors whose hearts and minds were inspired by God. Their mental processes were sharpened and elevated for the task. Although all were […]
Plene esse
See Esse, Bene Esse, Plene Esse.
Plumbline
Quarterly journal of the Episcopal Society for Ministry in Higher Education (ESMHE). The journal and its title are inspired by the image of Amos and other prophets who confronted Israel […]
Pneumatology
From the Greek pneuma (wind, breath, spirit) and logia (doctrine), indicating that branch of Christian theology which deals with the Holy Spirit. Three aspects of the received doctrine are especially […]
Pocahontas
(c. 1595-1617). Daughter of the powerful Indian chief Powhatan. While being held hostage at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1613, she was converted to Christianity and baptized as Rebecca by Alexander Whitaker. […]
Pohick Church, Lorton, Virginia
George Washington's parish church. A place of worship was first established near Lewis Heights, Fort Belvoir, in the seventeenth century. Some time prior to 1730 it was relocated near the […]
Pointing
A method of marking the syllables of a psalm for chanting. It is used for Anglican Chant and Plainchant. See Anglican Chant; see Plainsong.
Polity
The term is derived from the Greek word for “city.” In general English usage, polity refers to the form of government in a city or nation and the body of […]
Polk, Leonidas
(Apr. 10, 1806-June 14, 1864). Bishop and Confederate general. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1821 he matriculated at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1823 […]
Polly Bond Awards
Awards established in the mid-1970s by the Episcopal Communicators to acknowledge excellence and achievement in the ministry of church communications. They are named in honor of Polly Bond (1914-1979), one-time […]
Polycarp
(d. Feb. 23, 156). Bishop and martyr. He was born in the second half of the first century and became the Bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor (Turkey). Polycarp is […]
Polyphony, Choral
Contrapuntal, or “many voiced,” choral compositions in which the vocal lines are conceived as independent melodies that are woven together into a complex whole. This style of music is “linear” […]
Pope, Clarence Cullam, Jr.
(b. Oct. 26, 1929). Leading traditionalist bishop. He was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Pope received his B.A. from Centenary College in 1950, and his B.D. from the University of the […]
Porter
See Minor Orders.
Porter, Harry Boone
(Jan. 10, 1923-June 5, 1999). Priest, liturgical scholar, professor, editor, and missioner. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He received his B.A. from Yale University in 1947 and his S.T.B. […]
Position Paper
A paper issued by the House of Bishops which expresses the position of the House on any given subject or issue. The House of Bishops may require the dissemination of […]
Post-modernism
A relativistic movement that denies the existence of absolute meaning and the possibility of objective knowledge of reality. It contradicts the attempt of the Enlightenment to reach absolute truth through […]
Postcommunion Prayer
A prayer of thanksgiving after communion that also seeks God's help for Christian service. The eucharistic community is sent “into the world in peace” to love and serve God as […]
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.