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| A Unique Breed |
| Episcopalians value thoughtful decision making and personal freedom, while at the same time believing in a strong sense of common good to benefit everyone in society. Our values are rooted in scripture, reason and tradition. Scripture is at the root of our worship and theology, but we are not biblical literalists; that is, we study scripture in a reasoned way in its historical context. We believe that discernment about God's will for Creation happens through the tradition of the Christian community in thoughtful conversation, dialogue and decision making through the centuries. |
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| What we believe |
| Episcopalians believe that there is one loving God who creates all things, and who manifested that love by sending Jesus, the Son of God, to humanity to make clear that all people are first of all children of God. Jesus was born a full human being, was crucified and put to death by people who were threatened by his message and authority. He subsequently was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples before ascending to God's heavenly realm. We know Jesus through those who believe in him as the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. |
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| Jesus' stories were always about coming to know a loving God who forgives sins and who wants people to be reconciled with one another. Christians believe that we have been given the ability, or power, for our sins to be forgiven and for reconciliation to be achieved through God's Holy Spirit acting in us and through us. In other words, we learn that God wants each of us to share in the ongoing creation of a just and peaceful world when we invite God's power to work in us and through us. |
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| Episcopalians accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We believe the mission of our church is the restoration of all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. |
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| How we worship |
| Our worship is centered in regular communion with God and one another through celebration of the sacraments, the holy things which remind us of our identity as children of God. Of primary importance are water, bread and wine. |
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| Water is the symbol of baptism, whereby we are brought into god's special community, the church, and commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In doing so we affirm that through Jesus' life, death and resurrection, our sins have been forgiven and that we share in a new spiritual life which is eternal. |
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| Bread and wine were used by Jesus as signs of his life among us; the bread represents his body, and the wine his blood. Each time we receive the consecrated (blessed) bread and wine, we receive Christ anew into our selves and are made whole with Christ and God. |
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| Our primary worship service is celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Gr. eucharistia, thanksgiving), or feast, wherein bread and wine are consecrated and distributed to those who have been baptized. Scripture is read and interpreted through a sermon or homily. Prayers are said, and there is usually a corporate confession of sin followed by a prayer of absolution. |
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| The Peace of God is shared in recognition of God's call for us to be at peace with one another in the name of Christ. Songs of praise are sung, and colorful vestments are worn by the clergy in celebration and praise of God's love and glorious Creation. |
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| A typical worship service includes |
Opportunity for quiet meditation and prayer
Joining with others in singing hymns of praise to God
Listening to instrumental and choral music
Hearing scripture read and interpreted in sermons or homilies for today's world issues
Reciting familiar and comforting words of the Lord's Prayer, psalms, creeds and other prayers
Praying for individual and community concerns
Sharing in the blessing and receiving of bread and wine as reminders of Christ's presence with us today
Being sent forth with renewed energy and spirit to serve the world
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| Generally, the 8AM Sunday worship service is more quiet and contemplative. A mid-morning service is likely to be more family- and children-oriented, with active participation from the congregation and more contemporary music. |
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| When you visit, don't hesitate to introduce yourself as a visitor to an usher or greeter at the door. Ask questions about the building, the program, the congregation's ministry or anything else; Episcopalians like to talk about what their church means to them! |
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| Worship is at the heart of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, believing that we are all children of God. |
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| We hope you will join us! |
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| Celebrations |
| Gathering for celebration of
who we are as people of God is central to
Episcopal Church life. We celebrate our
joys, losses and thanksgivings, and pray for God's
intercession in our own lives and those for whom
we especially care. |
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| Celebrations and worship services
in the Episcopal Church are noted for their
graceful beauty, intellectual stimulation and
musical excellence. Everyone is invited to
attend and participate; vistors and newcomers are
always welcome. |
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| The
Episcopal Book of Common Prayer
includes worship forms for many
celebrations, including baptism, Holy Eucharist,
daily Morning and Evening Prayer, marriages,
reconciliation and burials. |
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What membership in the church offers you |
| Participation in an Episcopal
Church congregation offers friendship, fellowship,
opportunities for education and support in times
of crisis for you and your family
members. |
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| Most congregations have excellent
education programs for all ages to develop a solid
foundation of values for engaging in life
events. Many congregations also have music
and choral activities offering opportunities for
participation and artistic expression.
Members of the Episcopal Church love to gather for
fellowship and food, so you can look forward to
being with others in a relaxed, informal and
friendly atmosphere. Also, most
congregations have outreach programs such as
partcipation in Habitat for Humanity and community
food banks, which offer the opportunity to get
involved in hands-on service to the wider
community. |
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| Youth |
| Children and youth are a vital
part of life in the Episcopal Church. Most
congregations offer Christian education programs
for children; larger congregations frequently have
extensive learning opportunities for young people,
including youth groups and special outreach
projects. For more information about our
youth programs, visit our web site at www.ecwww.org. |
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| Junior High and Senior High Youth
Conferences are held periodically throughout the
year. These events offer a wonderful
experience for young people from many communities
to meet one another and have fun singing, praying
and playing together. |
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| Provincial Youth Events - for
young people in the Western United States - are
held every three years as is a national Episcopal
Youth Event for young people from across the
church. |
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| History of the
Church |
| The Episcopal Church descends
from the Church of England which evolved from the
Roman Catholic Church. Like Martin Luther,
John Calvin and other reformers in the 16th
century, the Church of England protested the
Pope's authority; these protestors became known as
Protestants. So the Church of England, and
the Episcopal Church in the United States, are
both catholic (heritage going back to the earliest
Christian disciples) and protestant (protesting
the authority of any one bishop such as the
Pope). We are often called the via
media, or middle way. |
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| The Episcopal Church developed in the United States at the same time as the U.S. government. Many early American patriots were Anglicans (e.g., Washington, Jefferson, Madison), having come from the Church of England. So as the American Revolution nurtured a new form of democratic government, so, too, a new church was nurtured. |
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| Community |
| Reaching out to the wider community is very important to Episcopalians. Some of these outreach ministries include: |
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Habitat for Humanity home-building projects
Food banks - Thrift shops
Day care and pre-school programs
Elder care programs
Episcopal Retirement Communities
Eastside Congregations for the Homeless
Pike Place Market ministry
Mission to Seafarers - Seattle waterfront
Advocacy for homeless persons and shelter care
Overnight shelter for women
Feeding programs
Refugee resettlement programs
Alcoholics Anonymous
St. James Family Center in Cathlamet
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| Copyright 2006 Diocese of Olympia |
