A Quickstart Guide to the Episcopal Church

All you need to know to get started!

St. John’s is a vibrant, exciting Episcopal congregation that encourages every member and participant to discover, through worship, prayer and participation in the life of the community what living the Gospel in individual daily lives can mean. It is a truly inclusive congregation where a tremendous effort is made to welcome, appreciate and encourage everyone.

The single most important message of St. John’s is that God Loves YOU,
Holds YOU and Keeps YOU.

WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY,
WHERE THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU TO GROW AND CONTRIBUTE:

Church Activities – There are many opportunities for spiritual growth, community service, and theological education offered by St. John’s as well as the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Opportunities at St. John’s include: The Episcopal Church Women, The Youth Group, Cursillo, the Daughters of the King, Eager Beavers, and many more! Groups meet regularly for fellowship, mutual support, and service to the church and the world. A list of ministries at St. John’s is found in a brochure as well as on the website Parish Ministry page. There are also religious orders and communities in the Episcopal Church that offer associate membership to people wanting to live according to a Rule of Life.

Quickstart Classes for New Members, and others interested in learning more about both the Episcopal Church and the congregation of St. John’s are offered on the first Sunday of every month following the 10 a.m. service (Sept. – May). The material covered is based on this posting.

St. John’s accepts the core beliefs and practices of the Episcopal Church:

Church Membership – Membership in the Church is by Holy Baptism. The Church is the Body of which Christ is the head, and all baptized people are the members. The Church is an organism like a human family, and not an organization like a club or a business. Once part of this community you are always a part of it, even though you may become inactive and drift way, you will not be rejected from the Church.

The Method of Baptism – In accordance with The Episcopal Church, at St. John's we typically offer Holy Baptism at the celebrations of Easter, Pentecost, All Saints, the Baptism of Christ and other liturgically appropriate times of the year. Baptism can be offered at other appropriate times, based on personal need, and at the discretion of the priest. Baptism in the Episcopal Church is by immersion or effusion (pouring). Baptism is administered with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Baptisms administered by another communion or denomination are recognized as valid if the criteria of ministry with water in the Name of the Holy Trinity were observed.

Expectations of All Members – Members of the Church are expected to live in accordance with the Baptismal Covenant BCP (Book of Common Prayer) p. 302ff., and be faithful in the witness and work of the Church. The Episcopal Church affirms the tithe (10%) as the biblical standard of giving. The sacrificial thank-offering of the members of the Church is the healthy and biblical means by which the Church survives and engages in outreach. Members are encouraged to grasp the meaning of being part of the Body of Christ, and to live and participate accordingly. Being part of the Body means being in relationship with Christ and His people, and attending to those relationships through personal commitment and regular attendance.

Episcopal Church History -- The Episcopal Church in the United States is a part of the continuous, universal catholic (but not Roman) Church, and a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is the result of nearly two thousand years of catholic and apostolic faith rooted in the Church of England. Present day Bishops of this Church trace their ordination back through a continuous line of "apostolic succession," one person to the next, to the Twelve Apostles who were ordained by Christ. Anglican (Episcopal) Churches are bound together by tradition, Scripture, and the history and traditions they have received from the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury leads the Anglican Communion pastorally and spiritually. There are some eighty million members of the Anglican Communion, making it the second largest Christian body in the world. The Episcopal Church came into existence in this country as an independent church after the American Revolution. Today it has between two and three million members in the United States, Mexico, and Central America, all of which are under jurisdiction of Episcopal Church. The Presiding Bishop is the Primate or spiritual leader of the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church has traditions and practices that are both Catholic and Protestant, making it the "via media," or the middle, more inclusive way. A good resource is Welcome to the Episcopal Church, by Christopher L. Webber.

Church Beliefs – We are an incarnational church, believing that Christ is present among us. "We believe in one God…" are the opening words of the Nicene Creed. This summary statement of Christian theology is recited every week during the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. A shorter and more ancient summary of the faith is the Apostles’ Creed. This is the statement for baptism, daily morning and evening prayer, and the burial office. The Episcopal Church believes and teaches that everything necessary to salvation is taught by or out of Holy Scripture. An Outline of The Faith is presented in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) on page 845.

Episcopalians hold a range of views, of doctrine convictions, and beliefs. The Episcopal Church grants great latitude in interpretation because the church understands that personal experience and education is an important element of each person’s journey of faith. The church tends to stress less the confession of particular beliefs than the use of the BCP as the source book for public worship. The Episcopal Church requires its clergy to meet both high standards for ordination and continuing education for all those in the active ordained ministry. The Episcopal Church is a place where questions and discussions are welcome. It has been described as a place that welcomes and encourages "faith by conversation’’ and a deepening relationship with God.

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) -- The first prayer book was published in England in 1549. Although the prayer book has been revised many times and has been translated into many languages, it continues to be a major source of unity for Anglicans around the world. The Episcopal Church currently uses the BCP that was authorized by General Convention in 1979. The Book of Common Prayer is a book for public worship; the Bible, also an important part of every service, is a book of history and lessons.

The Means of Salvation – The Episcopal Church teaches that salvation is the divine gift of God, and is made available to us through Jesus Christ our Savior, who stands between us and God the Father, mediating on our behalf. While Salvation is a gift, it is also a lifelong process. Baptism is one of the important first steps in beginning the new life in Christ.

The Sacraments – The Episcopal Church is a sacramental church. A sacrament is most easily defined as "an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace" (BCP, p. 857). The two primary sacraments are baptism and communion. The five minor sacramental rites (not necessary for everyone) are marriage, ordination, confirmation, healing and reconciliation.

Style of Worship -- St. John’s is a worship community where the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, is the center of worship. It is a service remembering and celebrating our relationship with Jesus. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and other special services for various occasions are offered throughout the cycle of the Church Year. In worship, people are participants and not just spectators. The whole person is involved through hearing, seeing, speaking, smelling, singing, and physical movements. The use of color, symbols, and sounds are used to draw the wholeness of human consciousness into the worship experience. A good resource for understanding the Episcopal worship service is "Welcome to Sunday,’’ by Christopher L. Webber.

The Ministry -- All baptized persons have the right and responsibility to a ministry in the Church. All are meant to represent Christ as they live in the world. There are four orders of ministry: Laity (the people), Deacons, Priests and Bishops. As ministers of St. John’s, the members represent Christ to the world through their daily lives – at home, at school, at work and in the community. The laity, along with the ordained clergy, are expected to be part of the message and work of Christ. There are a number of religious orders and communities in the Episcopal Church with nuns, monks, and friars. Many orders offer associate membership to persons desiring to live according to a Rule of Life. Bishops in the Episcopal Church are elected by individual dioceses and are consecrated into the historic apostolic succession. For almost three decades the Episcopal Church has ordained women to the priesthood. In 1988 the Diocese of Massachusetts elected Barbara Harris as the first woman to be bishop in a Church of the Anglican Communion.

The Place of Worship – Upon entering the church there is a noticeable atmosphere of worship and reverence. No matter the architectural style, it is the altar and the cross, which stand as the visual and symbolic icons of the community. Candles are placed on the altar and the reredos (table behind the altar) to show that Christ is the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). Flowers adorn the sanctuary to beautify God's house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus. There is a lectern and/or a pulpit, where lessons are read, prayers are offered and the sermon is preached.

The Holy Bible -- The Episcopal Church is a Bible-believing and a Bible-using Church. The Church of England gave the world the King James Version of the Bible in 1609. Church members are encouraged to read and study the Bible on a regular basis. The Lectionary provides a schedule of Scripture readings for every Sunday of the year on a three-year cycle. It also gives suggestions for daily readings at home or at Church. A schedule is located in the back of The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Currently St. John’s is using the Revised Common Lectionary which varies slightly from the Sunday readings listed in the BCP. The Bible is honored as God's Word. The Bible is taught and preached in light of the whole faith and teaching. A variety of translations are authorized for public reading in church. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is the one used most frequently in this parish. It is important to note that much of the BCP comes directly from the Bible.

Church Customs -- There are hundreds of historical customs from which to choose, and each congregation is free to select those suited to its needs. Some Episcopalians will make the sign of the cross during prayer. Some stand to pray while others kneel. What unites the parish is the use of the BCP for the ordering of public worship, and an honest attempt to follow the doctrines and disciplines of the Episcopal Church. Episcopal church services are relational, in that the entire baptized community is expected to participate fully in the worship service. Visitors and new members often wonder when to stand, sit, or kneel. The general rule is to stand to sing the hymns, to say the Creed, and at the reading of the Gospel (during the liturgy of the Eucharist). Sit for the Old Testament Lesson, the Psalm, and the New Testament Epistle readings, the sermon, and choir anthems. Prayer is offered either standing or kneeling.

Church Organization -- Government in the Episcopal Church is a parallel of the United States civil government. The same persons who framed the Constitution after the American Revolution developed this form. This "grass roots" democracy came into use by the Church even prior to the establishment of the American civil system. The Episcopal Church of the United States is comprised of 112 Diocese. The local Rector, Vestry and Communicants correspond to the local Mayor, City Council and Citizens. The Bishop, Council, and Diocesan Convention correspond to the Governor, Cabinet and State Legislature. The Presiding Bishop, Executive Council, and General Convention correspond to the President, Cabinet, and Congress. The Annual Membership Meeting (held each January) of the parish is the time when all qualified members of the individual parish may elect members to the Vestry and hear detailed reports on the financial, administrative, and spiritual life of the Church. Between Annual Meetings, the Vestry is the governing body of the parish, and with the Priest, makes decisions for the good and well being of the community.

Church Titles -- There are many titles for offices of responsibility in the Church. Some vary in usage by local custom (such as "Father", "Mother" or "Reverend" as a title, or the office of Archdeacon) while others are uniformly standard throughout the Church. A Vicar (in the U.S.) is a priest in charge of a mission congregation (not yet self-supporting). The Rector is the priest in charge of a parish (financially self-supporting). A Curate is a priest who assists a Rector in parish ministry. The Dean is the priest in charge of a Cathedral Church. The Diocesan Bishop is the duly elected and seated bishop who has charge of a diocese (geographical area). A Coadjutor Bishop is elected to have an automatic right to succession upon the retirement (or death) of the Diocesan Bishop. A Suffragan Bishop is called to serve the Diocesan or Coadjutor Bishop, but has no right of succession.

The Church Year -- We follow the ancient cycle of the Church Liturgical Year. The twelve months are divided into the six seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. There are special saint's days and other holy days of observance throughout the year. Each season has its own special theme, color, symbol and observance. The Church Year is an orderly way to observe all aspects of the Christian Faith and the mysteries of the life of Christ.
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Episcopal Life – The national monthly newspaper of the Episcopal Church. $10 yearly. 1-800-374-9510

The Southern Cross – The magazine of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. FREE in the tract rack at St. John's

Forward Day by Day – a booklet of daily meditations published quarterly and found in the church tract rack. $1.00

Bernadin, Jospeh B. Introduction to the Episcopal Church.

Clark, Ken & Charlie Steen. Making Sense of the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History.

Gomes, Peter J. The Good Book: Reading the Bible With Mind and Heart.

Holmes, David L. A Brief History of the Episcopal Church.

Kew, Richard & Roger J. White. Toward 2015: A Church Odyssey.

Prichard, Robert W. A History of the Episcopal Church.

Webber, Christopher L. Finding Home: Stories of Roman Catholics Entering the Episcopal Church.

Spong, John S. Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers in Exile.

Sydnor, William. Looking at the Episcopal Church.