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Canon: The Canon of Scripture in Christianity refers to the set of books selected from among the books of the Hebrew Scriptures, the dozens of gospels, and many dozens of epistles, to form the Bible. Some canons contain just the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and 27 books in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Other canons include the Apocrypha.

Cassock: A black robe worn by priests or deacons, and are usually worn with a white over-garment called a surplice.

Catechism: From the Greek "katecheo" - to sound aloud. A training program to educate a person in the fundamentals of Christianity. It is often organized in a question and answer format.

Catholic: This came from the Greek word Katholikos which means "throughout the whole" or " universal ." This implies a world-wide faith, rather than a local one. The Nicene Creed, recited in the churches of many Christian denominations, speaks of " one holy catholic and apostolic church ." 

Celebrant: A minister or priest - or in some denominations, a member of the laity - who leads a worship service which includes communion.

Chalice: A special drinking cup used in Christian communion services to hold wine.

Chancel: The front part of the church from which the service is conducted, as distinct from the nave where the congregation sits. It is usually an elevated platform, three steps up from the nave.

Chapel: Can either be an alcove with an altar in a large church, or a separate building that is smaller than a full-sized church. Chapels have the same function as church buildings and are equipped in the same way, but are usually dedicated to a special use.

Choir: From Latin, chorus, meaning a group of singers. A choir is group of lay people that help lead the singing during a worship service and sometimes offer special anthems to enhance worship.

Christ: It refers to a Hebrew word (Messiah in English) that means "an anointed one," e.g. a king of Israel or a prophet.

Christian: Person believing in, professing or belonging to the religion of Christ.

Christmas: Held on December 25th to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a nominal date. The western church uses the Gregorian calendar and the eastern church uses the Julian calendar. So Christmas is celebrated on two different days.

Church: The Greek word ekklesia (to call out) in the Bible is generally translated as "church." It may refer to all those, living or dead, who are Christians. it may refer to a specific Christian group in a specific area.

Church of England: The official name of the original Church in England, the Anglican Church. During the reign of King Henry VIII, the Church, in England, broke formal ties with Rome.

Clergy: Those people who are appointed to work in the church. The three types of clergy are deacons, priests and bishops.

Collect: From the Latin word collecta, meaning "assembly." The word is normally used to refer to the prayer near the beginning of the Eucharist that precedes the lessons.

Coming, second: The belief that Jesus will descend to earth as described in the biblical book Revelation , leading a massive army.

Commandments: Rules given by God. The most famous are the 10 commandments given to Moses.

Communion: A Christian ritual, sometimes called the Eucharist, or Mass, or Lord's supper. The sharing of bread and wine (or a wine substitute) during a Christian service of all those baptised.

Confirmation: When people who were baptised as babies confirm the promises made by their parents.

Congregation: The groups of people who make up the local church, or the members of a local church who are present for worship.

Council, ecumenical: A series of meetings of the bishops of the Christian Church to settle doctrinal and organizational matters, in which the decisions were accepted by the entire Church.

Creed: Fropm the Latin word " credere " -- to believe. A short statement of religious belief, usually motivated by a desire to emphasize church teaching as opposed to a heresy.

Cross-bearer: The server, who carries the processional cross at the beginning and end of the service.

Crucifix: A religious symbol representing Jesus nailed to the cross. Many show a partly clothed man though the Romans crucified people naked.

Curate: In the Anglican communion, an assistant pastor.

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