The Episcopal Church

The leader of The Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, lovingly refers to it as the "Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement," following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with each other, and with the earth.

What is an Episcopalian?

  • As Episcopalians, we believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
  • We are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we believe in God the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person.
  • The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity.
  • We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and worship with the Book of Common Prayer.
  • Our liturgy retains ancient structure and traditions and is celebrated in many languages.
  • Both men and women, regardless of marital status or orientation, are eligible for ordination as deacons, priests, and bishops.
  • We believe in the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting.
  • Lay people exercise a vital role in the governance and ministry of our church.
  • We welcome all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion, not only members of the Episcopal Church.
  • We affirm that, for Christians, marriage is a lifelong commitment between two adults, regardless of gender. Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce, celebrate re-marriages, and do not deny the sacraments to those whose marriages have ended.
  • We affirm the role of individual conscience informed by scripture and tradition, in ethical matters where people can reasonably disagree.
  • We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion.
  • The Episcopal Church has members in the United States and the territory of Puerto Rico; and also in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela, Curacao, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Taiwan, the Virgin Islands, and many European nations.
  • All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.

The Book of Common Prayer

A little bit of Latin: Lex orandi, lex credenda, which translates loosely as "the law of praying [is] the law of believing, and even more loosely as “as we worship so we believe.” Episcopalians worship using The Book of Common Prayer, which shapes our beliefs more than doctrinal formulations. Our wor­ship is grounded in ancient traditions, in which—through symbols, scripture, sermon, sacred music, and a holy meal (Eucharist)—we remember the teachings, ministry, and sacrifice of Christ.

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