The Episcopal Handbook, Revised Edition

by Tobias Stanislas Haller (Compiler)

• Revised edition of a bestseller
• Sharpened focus, new sections, expanded glossary
• Adapted for wider range of uses and settings

The original Episcopal Handbook, published in 2008, was an instant classic and has
been a bestseller ever since. Still providing helpful and insightful information about the
Episcopal ethos with a certain amount of whimsy and complete accessibility, this revision maintains the best features of the original work, but adds an update and an expansion on the church today.

In addition to updating out-of-date references and correcting a few inaccuracies, the revision highlights Episcopal diversity—including more women and people of color in the biographical material—as well as focusing more on Episcopalians rather than Anglicans. Some new illustrations are included as well.

Some material originally presented in tabular form has been adapted into a more accessible narrative format. This includes new sections on church governance, the origins of religious belief, and a capsule summary of church history. The glossary has also been expanded.

The goal is to provide a book suitable for a wide range of uses and settings: for Sunday schools, confirmations, inquirer classes—and for everyone from visitors to vestries. The revision brokers an incredible compendium of information in an informal, user-friendly, and accessible format.

For lifelong Episcopalians, newcomers, and those wishing to sample and explore the
beliefs and organization of the denomination.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Tobias Stanislas Haller BSG retired from full-time ministry after 16 years as Vicar at St James Fordham (Bronx NY). While in New York he served diocesan leadership as a trustee and on the Standing Committee, as Deputy to sessions of General Convention for over a decade, and a five-year term on the Anglican Communion Indaba Reference Group. Now living in Baltimore, he continues to supply and is an associate at Church of the Advent. He is a life-professed member of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory, and a Commander of the Order of St John. An iconographer, visual artist, and musician, he blogs at “In a Godward Direction.” His publications include Reasonable and Holy (Seabury 2009), Shared Governance (Church Publishing 2012), The Episcopal Handbook Revised (Church Publishing 2015), Preparing for a Wedding in the Episcopal Church (Church Publishing 2017), and What About Sex? — A Little Book of Guidance (Church Publishing 2017). His most recent, Re-Membering God: Human Hope and Divine Desire (Church Publishing 2019) includes chapters on art, music, and architecture as human articulations of this quest.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks!

Thanks for this fast, easy read that gave a wonderful overview of all the topics I wanted to learn more about.

[Rob]

The illustrations are amusing. Glossary specifically is genuinely helpful and included specific terms for various church paraphernalia I would probably have never picked up elsewhere. A good aid to integrating into Episcopal culture. I think about the only thing I expected but didn’t find was a treatment of some of the little customs that may help newcomers feel more at home during services (e.g., when to bow, kneel, etc.).

Ok but the diagram of the nail placement at the crucifixion, who is that for??

[Eddie Tatro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a warmhearted and informative book on the going’s on of the Episcopal Church. Read it with a copy of the Book of Common Prayer handy as it references it a lot! It is a very easy read and guides you about the Episcopal denomination.

[Brian Felder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and engaging

This is a well-written, engaging overview to life in The Episcopal Church. Great for those wanting an orientation to church life and practice.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your interested in the Episcopal church this is well worth a read. Very easy to read and not at all text book like.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, easy to jump around and get a little bit of information on a range of Episcopal-relevant topics.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Community. Also a good refresh if you’re out of practice (like I was).

[Greg D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very basic and easy-to-read overview about The Episcopal Church. Explains a lot of the "whys" of TEC. Tells of its history, the liturgy, the various elements of the church, and its polity. It even comes with a glossary of terms, some of which are unique only to TEC. Recommended reading for the rookie Episcopalian like me.

[Conor Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely good book! If you are writing a book as a primer or guidebook for newcomers and experienced/knowledgeable people alike THIS is the book you are going to want to use as your model! Informative without being dry, funny without detracting from the important bits. EXCELLENT.

[Matthew Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, practical, and informative. Approachable for the average reader with lots of interesting trivia.