What is the Episcopal Church's relationship to the "Anglican Communion"?
What is the latest regarding the "schism" in the Episcopal Church?
What does the name "Episcopal Church" mean?
What are the sacraments of the Episcopal Church?
What is the nature of the doctrine and discipline of the Church?
How do Episcopalians Worship?
What is the structure and ministry of the Church?
What is the mission of an Episcopalian?
Where can I find more information?
What is the Episcopal Church's relationship to the "Anglican Communion"?
The Episcopal Church is part of a world-wide Communion of Churches in more than 100 countries called the Anglican Communion. Members of the Anglican Communion, numbering approximately 77 million worldwide, share similar worship styles, have the same seven Sacraments, understand the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and govern themselves in a like fashion. Further, our response to social issues is formed by dialogue between Scripture, tradition, and reason, in councils.
What is the latest regarding the "schism" in the Episcopal Church?The Episcopal Church believes that disagreement within the Communion is common, acceptable, and even desirable, and the Anglican Communion has experienced and continues to experience disagreement about other issues, like the ordination of women. We at St. Timothy's remain focused on our beliefs and our mission in the community and the world, and open our doors to everyone. For a copy of the Windsor Report regarding the Episcopal Church USA's ordination of an openly homosexual person, released October 18, 2004, as well as more information about the Anglican Communion's current activities, visit its website at www.anglicancommunion.org.
What does the name "Episcopal Church" mean?"The Episcopal Church" is often described as the "bridge-church" or the "middle way" because it includes both Catholic and Protestant traditions. It preserves the ancient Catholic faith and sacraments and the historic ministry with Bishops as chief pastors ("Episcopal" comes from the Greek word for "bishop" or "administrator"). But it is also Protestant, focusing on the basic authority of Holy Scripture and the proclamation of the Word of God.
What are the sacraments of the Episcopal Church?Sacraments are the "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace". Grace is God's love freely given to us for forgiveness and spiritual renewal. The two sacraments of the Gospel, instituted and ordained by Christ Himself as essential for every Christian's salvation, are:
Holy Baptism: Administered only once as a pledge of repentance and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is the means by which God adopts us as "His" children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church. If you have been baptized by a minister of another denomination, you are considered baptized in the Episcopal Church. People of all ages may be baptized.
Holy Eucharist: In it we share bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, for the continual remembrance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection until His coming again. Through it we receive the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life. All baptized persons are eligible to receive the Holy Eucharist.
Other sacraments of the Episcopal Church are:
Confirmation: The rite in which we express mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Those who have been Confirmed in another denomination may be Received. Talk with our clergy if you wish to be received in the Episcopal Church.
Holy Matrimony: The sacrament of marriage, in which a man and woman enter into a life-long covenant with each other and receive God's blessing.
Ordination: The sacrament consecrating Christians in service to God as bishops, priests and deacons.
Confession and Absolution: The rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a Priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
Unction: The rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body.
What is the nature of the doctrine and discipline of the Episcopal Church?The Episcopal Church offers a thoughtful approach to religion. Our faith involves reason as well as emotion. Our doctrine is designed to point out, not dictate, the response to God's continuing revelation. The focus is on God's love and the invitation to respond in mature freedom, in thanksgiving, and in loving devotion. Basic beliefs are expressed in the Book of Common Prayer, especially in the Catechism (also called The Outline of Faith).
The Episcopal Church teaches us that the approach to morality is positive rather than negative. It is rooted in Jesus' summary of the law to love God with heart, mind, and soul and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Its focus is not on laws and restrictions, but on free and mature response to God's love and in responsibility to our neighbors.
Episcopalians promise to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Episcopalians believe in One God, the Father who creates us and all things, the Son who redeems us from sin and death, the Holy Spirit who renews us as the Children of God. Episcopalians believe the Holy Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God and to contain all things necessary for salvation. We believe God inspired human authors and continues to speak to us through the Bible. We affirm that salvation is the end of our separation from God and the beginning of a new relationship with God and with one another. The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds are basic statements of our belief in God.
How do Episcopalians Worship?The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the central act of worship in accordance with Jesus' command to His disciples. At least three books are used. At every service lessons are read from the Holy Bible; the service follows the Book of Common Prayer, which is composed of both ancient and modern liturgies and prayers; the Hymnal includes both traditional and contemporary Church music. Supplemental Hymnals are often used as well.
What is the structure and ministry of the Episcopal Church?The Episcopal Church is a democratic church with a government much like the government of the United States. Bishops give pastoral care and oversight. In each congregation, ministry is shared by Lay People and ordained clergy.
Lay Persons (anyone who is not "ordained") represent Christ and His Church and bear witness to Him wherever they may be according to the gifts given them.
Deacons assist in the proclamation of the Gospel, in the administration of the Sacraments, and as servants to those in need.
Priests serve as pastors, proclaim the Gospel, and administer the sacraments.
Bishops serve as chief priests and pastors of dioceses and ordain others to continue Christ's ministry.
What is the mission of an Episcopalian?The mission of an Episcopalian is not simply a matter of "saving souls" nor of "feeding the hungry". Christian mission is seen as involving both the spiritual and the physical welfare of humankind, for Christ's love must extend to all of life. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
There are a variety of ways that a person may become a member of the Episcopal Church in general, and of St. Timothy's in particular.
Baptism - When any adult or child is Baptized (i.e., has water poured upon his/her head or is immersed in water by another Baptized Christian "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit") his/her name is entered into the record books of the Church, and he/she becomes a member.
Confirmation - When any adult or mature young person is Confirmed (i.e., professes his/her faith in a special service with the Bishop) his/her name is entered into the record books of the Church, and he/she becomes a member.
Reception - When any adult or mature young person who has been Baptized and Confirmed in another denomination (e.g., Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox, etc.) is Received (i.e., is welcomed into the Episcopal Church at a special service with the Bishop) his/her name is entered into the record books of the Church, and he/she becomes a member.
Transfer - When any Baptized Christian has his/her record of Baptism transferred from a Church of former membership into St. Timothy's he/she becomes a member of this Church.
Thus, "membership" is a matter of having one's name and date/place of Baptism recorded in a specific parish of the Episcopal Church. From that time on membership is either "inactive" (i.e., not attending) or "active" (also called "Member in Good Standing").
To remain active a member must:
Attend services at least three times per calendar year,
Receive Holy Communion, and
Make a recorded financial contribution to the Church (also referred to as "being known to the Treasurer" which means giving a check which has the givers name/address on it, or using an envelope which has a number identified as the givers number).
When a member is unable to attend Church Holy Communion may be taken to him/her; this allows that person to remain active.
Where can I find more information?To find more information about the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, visit www.thediocese.net. To get information about the upcoming Council meeting, visit the Diocese Councils page.