ABOUT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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WHO WE ARE
As Episcopalians, we are part of The Jesus Movement - the ongoing community of people who center their lives on Jesus and follow him into a loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, each other and creation. We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world. Together, we follow Jesus as we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40), and restore each other and all of creation to unity with God in Christ (Book of Common Prayer, p. 855). |
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CORE TO OUR PRACTICE
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. Women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of gender, sexual identity or orientation, class, race, or education level. We have a tradition of welcoming many different theological and political viewpoints - from people who are deeply conservative to those who are very progressive. We believe that God loves you – no exceptions. |
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CORE TO OUR BELIEFS
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THE BIBLE
The Bible is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason. We believe that it is the word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end. Approximately 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible. |
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THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer. |
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THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT
A mini-catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other special occasions, the baptismal covenant opens with a question-and-answer version of the statement of faith that is the Apostles’ Creed and adds five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith. |
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THE CREEDS
“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851). In the two foundational statements of faith—the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion—we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us. |
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THE SACRAMENTS
“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857). Besides baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the church recognizes other spiritual markers in our journey of faith. These include: Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows), pp. 413-419 Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), pp. 447-452 Matrimony (Christian marriage), pp. 422-438 Ordination (of a deacon, priest, or bishop), pp. 510-555 Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying) pp. 453-467 |
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THE CATECHISM
Offered in a question-and-answer format, the catechism found in the back of the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862) helps teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith. |