Rating: 
Summary: A User-friendly Episcopal Reference Work
Review: This fine work fills a void for a popular, introductory level reference work to put into the hands of either the inquirerer of the Episcopal Church or one who simply needs some quick background information on almost any subject related to the Episcopal Church or its liturgy. This is a fine reference work which can serve the new or seasoned Episcopalian well. It's good to have this work back in print, now updated and expanded. A handy general reference tool, but don't look here in search of scholorly theology. The intended audience seems to be those who have little or no previous background in the Anglican Tradition. A fine general catechetical reference work.
Rating: 
Summary: An essential reference book for Episcopalians
Review: This illustrated dictionary for the Episcopal Church is an essential reference to its terminology, worship, structure, and polity. Originally intended as a resource for new members and confirmands in the Episcopal Church, since it was first published in 1985 the dictionary has become increasingly popular with clergy, vestries, and other lay ministers and leaders. This entirely new edition has been expanded, revised, and updated to include new terms that have come into use since it was first published, as the language Episcopalians use to describe their faith, worship, and common life continues to evolve.A Dictionary for Episcopalians is an ideal reference book for new members, seminarians, clergy, confirmation and inquirers' classes, altar guilds, church school teachers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the Episcopal Church. With illustrations and a pronunciation guide, it is a useful addition to every parish library and sacristy. "I heartily recommend John Wall's Dictionary....It is well-written, and considerate of differing positions and points of view...should be in use in every parish." -- John E. Booty John N. Wall is Professor of English at North Carolina State University and priest associate at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also the author of George Herbert in the Classics of Western Spirituality series.
Rating: 
Summary: Can you say e-pis'-co-pa'-li-an?
Review: This is a very handy guide, not just for Episcopalians, but for members of any liturgical church, for the Episcopal church does not have a monopoly on many of the things defined herein, but rather shares these with the larger body of Christendom. Granted, there are many things uniquely Episcopalian, but the appeal of this book should not be limited to that audience. John Wall, the author, and Philippa Goodwin, illustrator, have put together a very handy guide for learning what's what in the church. The vestments worn by bishops, priests, deacons, and other ministers in the liturgy are very specific and almost everything worn has an historical background. Many terms are derived from the Latin, owing to the shared history with the Western Catholic church. Despite the general Anglicanisation of the church, these Latinate terms endured. In some respects, Anglicans seem to speak a foreign language. First time visitors to the church are often lost, as one must juggle books, learn when to sit, kneel, stand, process, and then listen in as the commentary around them may begin to take the form of a secret medieval code. 'Oops, the acolytes forgot to put out the lavabo again.' 'My, would you look at that tattered tippet? It must always get caught on the sedalia.' 'I was sorry to miss the exsultet, but the curate dropped the cruet in the sacristy, and I couldn't make it back to the narthex for the start of the procession...' Yes, all of these terms and more are explained in plain English in the alphabetically arranged entries of the dictionary. The illustrations help in terms of vestments, 'furniture' pieces, various postures, and more. The discussion is very practical, more in terms of 'what' than of 'why' - the theological underpinnings are also rarely discussed, as that could take volumes, and goes beyond the scope of this work, which is meant to be a handy reference and easy-to-follow guide for the newcomer, the new acolyte or ministry helper, or the general member of the congregation who wants a bit more understanding of his or her surroundings. Testament to its popularity, the dictionary has gone through several editions and revisions - the first edition I have is one from the early 1980s, and the latest from 2000, in a wide-book format. A must-have for any Episcopalian, it is also useful for those in other churches. It is also a good reference book to have by Episcopal churches.
Rating:
Summary: Good for both new and lifetime Episcopalians
Review: This is an excellent book for the new Episcopalian, like myself and also for the lifetime church member. When I took it to a recent class, it was borrowed at least once by everyone in the class, including the priest who was teaching. It is written for the layperson who wants to know more about about the Episcopal service and church without having to search through volumes looking for information. I use my frequently and highly recommend it.
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