Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an Episcopalian in order to take communion?
All who are baptized and seek the transformed life of Jesus are invited to receive Communion regardless of their church background. Whoever you are and wherever you are in your pilgrimage of faith, you are welcome in this place; you are welcome at God's table.
Are my children welcome in church?
Children of all ages are welcome in church. Do not worry about restless or noisy children, as they learn best by being present with us.
Nursery care is available for children 4 and under on Sundays during our services and spiritual formation classes.
What should I wear when I come to church?
Some people dress up for church and others prefer more casual attire. We invite you and your family to dress in whatever way you feel is comfortable and appropriate.
Why do we stand, sit, and kneel during the service?
Our style of worship is not a passive experience but an active engagement. When able, we stand up when we give praise to God, sit down when we hear the readings or the sermon, and kneel when we pray. Notice how these simple physical gestures help to align your heart, mind, and spirit with what is happening in the service.
Is the Episcopal Church like the Catholic Church?
The Episcopal Church stems from what we now know as the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation sparked the beginnings of the denominational differences we see today. Notably, reformers wanted the Bible and liturgy to be in the language of the people. They rejected corruption in the church, and sought more local control of the church that was offered under a pope. In England, the reformers broke away from the Roman Church and established the Church of England, which is the colonial antecedent of The Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion of today. Other denominations also formed as a result of the Reformation, but each denomination has its particular traditions.
In The Episcopal Church, we celebrate both our Protestant and catholic heritage. In many ways, including the centrality of the Eucharist and the role of bishops in church governance, we are very similar to the contemporary Roman Catholic Church. In other ways, however, including the absence of a pope and the ordination of women, we are quite different.
You may notice in our creeds that we refer to the "holy catholic church". Catholic, in this case with a lowercase c, refers to the universal church of all Christians.
Is the Episcopal Church Inclusive?
All people are welcome as members of the Episcopal Church and at all levels of leadership, lay and ordained. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of radical welcome and inclusion, a witness we are invited to continue following. Episcopalians believe that the Christian identity is one that seeks liberation, inclusion, and affirmation for all people.