What is "church session"

Session \Ses"sion\, n. [L. sessio, fr. sedere, sessum, to sit: cf. F. session. See Sit.]

1. The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.

   So much his ascension into heaven and his session at the right hand of God do import.
   --Hooker.

   But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . . Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood.
   --Tennyson.

2. The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc., or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for the transaction of business.

   It's fit this royal session do proceed.
   --Shak.

3. Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for business; or, the space of time between the first meeting and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is called a term.

   It was resolved that the convocation should meet at the beginning of the next session of Parliament.
   --Macaulay.

   Note: Sessions, in some of the States, is particularly used as a title for a court of justices, held for granting licenses to innkeepers, etc., and for laying out highways, and the like; it is also the title of several courts of criminal jurisdiction in England and the United States.

   Church session, the lowest court in the Presbyterian Church, composed of the pastor and a body of elders elected by the members of a particular church, and having the care of matters pertaining to the religious interests of that church, as the admission and dismission of members, discipline, etc.

   Court of Session, the supreme civil court of Scotland.

   Quarter sessions. (Eng.Law) See under Quarter.

   Sessions of the peace, sittings held by justices of the peace. [Eng.]

Church \Church\ (ch[^u]rch), n. [OE. chirche, chireche, cherche, Scot. kirk, from AS. circe, cyrice; akin to D. kerk, Icel. kirkja, Sw. kyrka, Dan. kirke, G. kirche, OHG. chirihha; all fr. Gr. kyriako`n the Lord's house, fr. kyriako`s concerning a master or lord, fr. ky`rios master, lord, fr. ky^ros power, might; akin to Skr. [,c][=u]ra hero, Zend. [,c]ura strong, OIr. caur, cur, hero. Cf. Kirk.]

1. A building set apart for Christian worship.

2. A Jewish or heathen temple. [Obs.]
   --Acts xix. 37.

3. A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together. ``When they had ordained them elders in every church.''
   --Acts xiv. 23.

4. A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the Roman Catholic church; the Presbyterian church.

5. The collective body of Christians.

6. Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm.

7. The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.

   Remember that both church and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors.
   --Bulwer.

   Note: Church is often used in composition to denote something belonging or relating to the church; as, church authority; church history; church member; church music, etc.

   Apostolic church. See under Apostolic.

   Broad church. See Broad Church.

   Catholic church or Universal church, the whole body of believers in Christ throughout the world.

   Church of England, or English church, the Episcopal church established and endowed in England by law.

   Church living, a benefice in an established church.

   Church militant. See under Militant.

   Church owl (Zo["o]l.), the white owl. See Barn owl.

   Church rate, a tax levied on parishioners for the maintenance of the church and its services.

   Church session. See under Session.

   Church triumphant. See under Triumphant.

   Church work, work on, or in behalf of, a church; the work of a particular church for the spread of religion.

   Established church, the church maintained by the civil authority; a state church.