What does it mean to be an Episcopalian?
IT MEANS being a part of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement.
IT MEANS being a part of a community of 2.2 million other Episcopalians in 110 diocese in the Americas and abroad.
IT MEANS being a part of the world-wide Anglican Communion since the Episcopal Church has it's roots in the Church of England.
IT MEANS loving Jesus and following his teachings by welcoming the stranger and the outcast, offering love and forgiveness to all.
IT MEANS gathering around the Lord's table as a symbol of our unity.
IT MEANS promising to love our neighbors as ourselves, and uphold the dignity of every human being – no exceptions.
IT MEANS celebrating a diversity of people and worship styles even as we all practice a similar form of worship set out in the Book of Common Prayer.
IT MEANS striving to be a faith community that both respects our religious tradition while also embracing a profound sense of awe and wonder in the mystery of God.
IT MEANS practicing "via media" – or the middle way – in all that we do because we believe that, regardless of our views on particular topics, everyone is beloved by God, and Jesus calls us to always demonstrate respect and care in our deliberations.
IT MEANS believing the Holy Scriptures are the revealed word of God, who inspired the human authors of the Scripture, and which is interpreted by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
IT MEANS participating in a unique structure of community.
In the Episcopal Church, the ministers are all the baptized people of God, not just the ordained clergy.
The word “episcopal” is an old Greek word for bishop. Bishops, along with other elected leaders, oversee the Church in particular geographic areas, known as dioceses. Each bishop and those elected leaders in the diocese, operating through a local annual convention, determine the character of life and work in that diocese within a set of general decisions made by a triennial General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
