💬 Glossary


The Glossary is a collection of conventions around how we spell and refer to things to do with the Church which might have ambiguity. Using the Glossary can help make things more consistent between different producers of content.

Bazaar
See Christmas Fair.
BBQ
Prefer the initialism “BBQ” to “Barbecue”.
Christ Church Halton
There is a space between “Christ” and “Church”, and no comma before “Halton”.
Church
Use “Church” with a capital letter when referring to the organisation. If you’re talking about the building, it’s “the church” in lowercase.
Christmas Fair
Always use “Christmas Fair” with two capitals. Do not use “Christmas Fayre” or “Bazaar”.
communion
Prefer lowercase, unless you’re specifically using the phrase “Holy Communion”.
Community Centre
See St Mary’s Church Whitkirk Community Centre.
Cross Gates
Two words, unless you’re talking about “Crossgates Shopping Centre”.
electoral roll
Prefer lower case. In some contexts there may be ambiguity with the electoral register (as maintained by the Council), in which case use “parish electoral roll”.
Eucharist
Prefer capital letter.
FISH
Prefer all capitals.
Food bank
Prefer “food bank” with a space, unless you’re talking about a specific body which styles itself otherwise.
Holy Communion
Prefer title case, unless you’re using “communion” on its own.
Landmark
Prefer “Landmark” or “Landmark Magazine” wherever possible, but “the Parish Magazine” is acceptable. Avoid “the magazine” or similar except where the context is absolutely clear.
Magazine
See Landmark.
Mothers’ Union
Spelled out in full, with an apostrophe after the “s”.
parish
Prefer lowercase.
PCC
You should generally use the abbreviated form, unless there is a particular need to spell it out in full. Remember to explain the meaning if the audience will be unfamiliar.
Silver Lining Luncheon Club
Use “Silver Lining”, not “Silver Liners”. “Luncheon” is prefered to “Lunch”.
St Mary’s Church Whitkirk Community Centre
The full name is a bit wordy, but preferred where possible. You won’t be told off, however, for using “the Community Centre”, “St Mary’s Community Centre” or “Whitkirk Community Centre”.
Summer Fair
Always use “Summer Fair” with two capitals. Do not use “Summer Fayre”.
Temple Newsam
Two words.
TGI Friday
This is the name of a restaurant. Never use it unless you’re actually talking about food - you probably mean Thank God It’s Friday.
Thank God It’s Friday
Always spell the name out in full. Never use “TGI Friday”.
Whitkirk Arts Guild
Preferably spelled out in full, or using the abbreviation “WAG”. Try and avoid “the Arts Guild”.

Document owner:
Communications Team
Last reviewed:
12 May 2025