Altar

The altar is the long table at the centre of the church around which we gather to celebrate communion. St Barnabas also has an altar at the far end of the church. When the church was built, it was traditional for the priest to stand with his back to the people, offering worship on their behalf to God. Now we prefer to worship together at the central altar.

Anglican

Relating to the Church of England, or any church in communion with it.

Apocrypha

Books relating to Jewish history, which were not included in the Bible at Reformation, plus gospels and letters not included in the New Testament. We sometimes have readings from these books at St Barnabas.

Archbishop

A chief bishop of a region within the Church of England; for instance the Archbishops of Canterbury, and York

Baptism (Christening)

The rite of immersing a person in, or sprinkling their forehead with water, in order to admit them as members of the church. It is also generally accompanied by name-giving. At St Barnabas we offer baptism of infants, and also baptism and confirmation for adults, who wish to enter the church of England.

Bible

The Holy Book for Christians, also known as the Word of God. It contains scriptures which relate Jewish history and also the life of Christ and the works of his followers.

Bishop

Leading clergyman who acts as governor of a diocese, and has the power to confirm members of the church, as well as to ordain priests. The bishop often (but not always!) wears a mitre, or pointed hat. Our bishop is Bishop Martin of Kingston.

Choir

Group of singers who perform or lead music during church services; also a section of the church behind the central altar, which often contains wooden stalls, where the choir used to sit. We no longer have a choir at St Barnabas, although members of the congregation do meet from time to time to practice music.

Church

Most people think of a church as the building in which we meet to worship God. In fact it more accurately refers to a body of people. St Barnabas church follows a traditional building pattern, being shaped like a cross and facing east towards Jerusalem.

Confirmation

This is the act of confirming on your own behalf, the promises made by your parents and godparents at your baptism. During this service, which is lead by the bishop, candidates are formally admitted as Christians and members of the church.

Congregation

This is the group of people who come together to worship God and his son Jesus Christ. At St Barnabas our numbers vary from 50-150, according to the occasion, and the time of year.

Crucifix (Cross)

A crucifix is an image of Christ on the cross. Crucifixion was a cruel method of execution used by the Romans, which involved a person being tied to a wooden cross and left to die of hunger, thirst and exposure to the elements. At St Barnabas, we have a large red and gold cross, hanging over the altar to symbolise Christ's death for our sins, and also his rising from the dead.

Diocese

A church district, which is controlled by a bishop. The parish of St Barnabas in Southfields is part of the diocese of Southwark, and our cathedral is located near London Bridge station on the south-bank of the Thames.

Disciple

One of Christ's personal followers, and in particular one of the original twelve. St Barnabas was also a disciple, although not one of the original group.

Epistles

The epistles are letters written mainly by Paul, but also by other disciples to early churches located throughout the eastern Mediterranean. They are continued within the New Testament of the Bible. Every Sunday we have a reading from one of the Epistles.

Eucharist (Communion)

The Lord's supper, or ceremony where members of the church consume bread and wine in remembrance of Christ's death for our sins. The wine symbolises his blood and the bread represents his body. The Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday at St Barnabas, and all full members of Christian churches are invited to share it with us.

Font

To become a member of the church you must be baptised. So at the back of the church you will find the font. This is filled with water for this important ceremony in which people renounce evil and turn to Christ. Our font is used mostly for infant baptisms, where the vicar pours holy water from the font onto the foreheads of the children and gives them God's blessing, before marking them with the sign of the cross and welcoming them into the church.

Gospels

The gospels are glad tidings preached by Christ. The teachings of Christ and the story of his life are told in the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which are to be found in the New Testament. At St Barnabas we have readings from the gospels in all our regular services.

Icon

An icon is a religious painting, image or statue, usually of a saint, disciple, or other holy person. The tradition of painting icons came from the Eastern church and is most strongly observed in orthodox churches. They are intended to draw the worshipper into the reality of the church as the Body of Christ. St Barnabas has two icons attached to the central pillars near the entrance to the church. These represent Mary with her son Jesus and Barnabas our patron saint.

Lectern

The lectern is a wooden stand, from which most readings are given. The lectern at St Barnabas holds a copy of the bible, but it also used for prayers, sermons and other readings.

Nativity

Nativity relates to the birth of the baby Jesus at the first Christmas, when Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem. Jesus was born in a manger in a stable, because there was no room at the inn. There he was visited by shepherds and wise men from the east. The nativity is commemorated in churches and schools throughout the world in the month of December, running up to Christmas Day on the 25th. St Barnabas is no different and we observe all the Christmas traditions and festivities to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Nave

The nave is the main body of the church, and generally it is the area where the congregation sits. It is separated from the aisles by pillars. Most of our worship at St Barnabas now takes place in this section in front of the central altar.

Organ

The organ provides the musical accompaniment in most churches. It is operated by means of keyboards and pedals and sounds are made by expelling air through pipes. Our organ is located high up in the left hand corner of the church. It was made by the famous firm of Willis and was restored thoroughly a few years ago.

Prayer

Prayer means talking to God, to thank him for the good things we enjoy, to ask him for help when we need it, and to ask for his forgiveness when we do something wrong. We don't only pray in church, but prayers are offered at all services at St Barnabas, during which we reflect on recent events and in particular remember the sick and those who need God's help.

Pulpit

This is the raised platform from which traditionally readings were given in church and the vicar would preach his sermon. The pulpit is still used occasionally at St Barnabas, but for regular services we prefer to worship together in the body of the church.

Resurrection

Christians believe that Jesus died and was buried, but on the third day he rose again from the dead, in order to save us from our sins. The resurrection is commemorated each Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the good news of Jesus resurrection, with our biggest celebration of the year.

Saint

A saint is a holy person who is recognised by the Church as having won a high place in heaven and veneration on earth because of their lives and actions. Many of the early saints were put to death for their beliefs. More recent saints are often remembered for their good works, self sacrifice and sometimes for miracles. Barnabas is our patron saint.

Stations of the Cross

The stations of the cross depict the story of Jesus's last journey through the old city of Jerusalem to the place of crucifixion, to his death and resurrection. There are twelve of these and they are displayed around the walls of the church at St Barnabas. They are used at Easter to remind us of the suffering Jesus went through on our behalf.

Testament

The Bible is divided into two main sections: The Old Testament, which tells the history of the Jewish people and relates the teachings of its prophets; and The New Testament, which relates the story of Jesus life, death and resurrection, as well as the teachings and lives of his apostles.

Worship

This is what we do every Sunday and at all our services, when we come together to praise God and to thank him for all his blessings on us.

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