Explaining some of those words you see in our church diary and in our services and news items. We have started with a few words and will add to the list from time to time. If you would like to know more about any aspect of Christ's message or our Christian beliefs and worship explained, send an email to church@highclerevillage.com or join us in one of our lovely churches where you will be warmly welcomed!

Rogation Sunday

Traditionally the church sang or chanted or said litanies to God and the saints while processing through their parish to bless the land and the crops and property. This practice is inherited by the Christian church from Old Testament days, long before the birth of Christ. In the church calendary Rogation Sunday falls immediately before Ascencion Day. 'Rogation' is from the Latin rogare, to petition earnestly. Rogation Sunday

Litany

A litany is a series of petitions to God forming a prayer sequence that is used in most Church of England and many other services. The usual form is that the Minister or a member of the congregation says a series of short prayers, and the congregation responds with the same answer after each prayer. From the Greek litaneia, meaning prayer.

Ascension Day

After rising from death after His crucifixion, Christ appeared several times to various of his followers before 'He ascended into heaven' as we say in the Creed. The Christian feast of Ascension occurs 40 days after Easter. St. Augustine states that it was first celebrated by the apostles and it was certainly part of the church year from at least the 4th century AD.

Whit, Whit Sunday, Whitsuntide

Also known as Pentecost. Christ promised his followers that he would send the Holy Spirit, to be with them at all times. For a Christian, the presence and help of the Holy Spirit is one of the most powerful aspects of our faith. This happened soon after the Ascension in a very exciting and dramatic way when the apostles were gathered together in what the New Testament calls 'an upper room'.

The Trinity

Or 'The Holy Trinity'. We believe in and worship God in three different aspects: God the Father, Jesus Christ, the son of God, and the Holy Spirit. This is called 'the Trinity'. This aspect of our beliefs can be a bit of a puzzle, since we say that God is one person but also three persons. One way to think about this is that because its so difficult for us as humans to fully appreciate and understand God, he reveals himself to us in three aspects, each showing us a part of his power and his love. God our Father is the all-knowing creator. God the Son is our saviour who became a man and fully experienced our human condition, dying for us on the cross. God the Holy Spirit draws us towards God and equips us with various gifts and talents.

Prayer

Prayer is how we speak to and listen to God. Many people who are not regular churchgoers pray at moments of particular stress or anxiety; practising Christians pray regularly - on any day at any time, not just in church. You can pray for something or someone or about something or someone, or you can simply sit or kneel silently, waiting for God. In the Church of England's main services we always pray for: the church and all Christians; all mankind and the peace of the world; our leaders and politicians, that God will guide their judgements; the sick; the recently dead and their families and friends; the local community and ourselves. God does answer prayer, but not necessarily in the way we expect or in ways that we like. In a telling phrase in the Book of Common Prayer we ask God's help "as may be most expedient for us" - in other words, we ask God to do what he knows is best for us, not what we may desire.

Baptism

Baptism is the way we welcome new members into the church. It has long been the custom for parents to bring their children to baptism while they are babies and infants - and its a very great joy indeed for our congregation to welcome them, which is why we very much like to have the baptism as part of our main Sunday service, rather than as a private affair for the parents, god parents, family and friends! Those who are baptised as children are "members for life" - there is no way to cancel or repeat baptism. But when people are old enough to make decisions for themselves they take the further step of confirmation - see our other FAQ on this subject. If you were not baptised as a child, we warmly invite you to join the family of the church, and we regularly hold a service of baptism for people of any age - often as part of the process of confirmation. If you want to bring your infant child or come yourself to baptism, call our Rector, Revd Tim Horsington, on 01625 253991.