Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church is a Christian churched based on the teachings of the Bible and complimented by the Book of Common Prayer.
The Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) is the American branch of the
Church of England (also known as the worldwide Anglican Communion),
a body headed spiritually by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Anglican Communion is the second largest Christian body in the Western world.
What does the word "Episcopal" mean?
The word "Episcopal" derives from the Greek word "Episcopal" for "bishop." Thus "Episcopal" means "governed by bishops." From an etymology (meaning of words) perspective,
the word "Episcopal" is an adjective as in "I belong to the Episcopal Church." while the word "Episcopalian" is a noun as in "I am an Episcopalian."
When was the Episcopal Church started in the United States?
The United States Anglican Church can trace its beginnings to the beginnings of America with the first English colony in 1607 at Jamestown, Va. In 1689, King's Chapel
in Boston, Massachusetts opened and Trinity Church in New York City was consecrated. Not only churches opened, but also schools! In 1693, James Blair,
an Anglican missionary to colonial Virginia, secured the charter for the College of William and Mary. King's College in New York which is now
Columbia University was founded in 1754.
What is the structure of the Episcopal Church in the United States?
The Episcopal Church in the United States is organized into dioceses. Each diocese has a Bishop who is elected by by the diocese and consecrated into the Apostolic Succession.
The Apostolic Succession is considered to witness to an unbroken line of Church leadership beginning with the Apostles themselves. There are over 100
dioceses in the United States.
Each diocese is made up of congregations in a geographic region. The Episcopal Church of the Advent is part of the
Southern Virginia Diocese.
The Episcopal Church has a three-fold order of ministry as handed down by the Apostles in direct descent:
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
The
Book of Common Prayer is, quite simply, a book of prayers written in every day English. It is used in
the Episcopal Church to facilitate the worship service in English, instead of the traditional Latin used in the Roman Catholic Church of the time. It represents
the Episcopal Church's desire to speak in the language of the people rather than the language of the clergy. The first Book of Common Prayer was produced by Archbishop
Thomas Cranmer in 1549 and has been revised several times. The Book of Common Prayer contains the order of service for the various rites of
the church, prayers for use within the context of the liturgy, and prayers for use in daily life. It arranges Scripture readings in the Lectionary
which are incorporated into worship services and organized to guide a congregation through the entire Bible in a three-year period. Additionally, the Book
of Common Prayer contains The Psalms (the Psalter), the Calendar of the Church Year, and the Outline of the Faith (Catechism).
What is the significance of the red, white, and blue shield of the Episcopal Church?
The shield is the official logo of Episcopal Church in the United States and depicts our history. It is red, white and blue...the colors of both the U.S. and England.
The red Cross of St. George sitting on a white field is symbolic of the Church of England. The blue field in the upper left corner is the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A.
It features a
Cross of St. Andrew, in recognition of the fact that the first American bishop was consecrated in Scotland. This cross is made up of nine crosslets,
which represent the nine dioceses that met in Philadelphia in 1789 to form the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A.
Was the Episcopal Church founded by King Henry VIII?
This is partly true. King Henry VIII desired an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The Roman Catholic Church refused, though divorces were being granted
by the church at that time. However, the separation of the Church of England from Rome had been building for some time, and King Henry VIII took the point in time
of his divorce from Catherine to formalize the break between England and Rome.
Who is allowed to take Communion in the Episcopal Church?
All baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, may take communion with us. The table is The Lord's, and all those who seek to
be His own are lovingly invited to it. We believe every person has an invitation to a loving relationship with God and this congregation. Welcome to the feast!
What is the role of women in the Episcopal Church?
Women serve throughout the Episcopal Church from parishioner to priest to bishop. The Episcopal Church has ordained women to all orders of ministry since 1976.
In 1989, Barbara Harris of the Massachusetts diocese was consecrated as the first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion, and in 1993 Mary McLeod became
bishop of Vermont, the first woman in the United States to head a diocese of the church. In 2006 Katharine Jefferts Schori was elected Episcopal presiding
bishop, making her the first woman to head an Anglican church.
What are Sunday services like?
Teachings, prayer, and music form the foundation of Sunday Service and Communion is offered at each service.
The pastor or deacon begins with a call to worship and guides us through the day’s teachings. Prayers are offered silently and as a group.
The music is a mix of traditional and contemporary. Songs are sing-able, the sermon is understandable, and you don’t have to wear a suit.
Visitors are respected and welcomed guests who are called to worship God with us.
The Episcopal service has two parts of the Liturgy ("The Liturgy of the Word" ). The first part of the Liturgy consists of prayers,
scripture readings and a sermon by the priest or deacon. An Affirmation of Faith (The Nicene Creed) follows and then the Prayers of the People,
Confession of Sin, Absolution, and the Exchange of Peace. The second part of the service is the Holy Eucharist ("Communion," or "The Lord's Supper").
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offerings of the congregation, then proceeds with the Eucharistic Prayer, Consecration of the bread and
wine, receiving Communion, and the Post-Communion Prayer, a Blessing and Dismissal.
What sacraments are celebrated in the Episcopal Church?
Sacraments are "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace." The Episcopal Church celebrates two sacrements with every member of the Church:
In addition, other sacraments are celebrated as they apply in people's lives:
- Confirmation
- Holy Matrimony
- Reconciliation
- Ordination
- Unction of the Sick
At what age are children baptized, make communion, and receive confirmation?
The Episcopal Church baptizes infants and adults alike and communion can be taken at any age. Communion classes are held each year for children older than age 7.
Confirmation classes are held for ages 13 and over (adults too!).
What is the process of becoming a member of the Episcopal Church?
If you are coming from a church in the Apostolic Succession (i.e., Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox), and have already been confirmed, the
process is to be "received" by the bishop of the diocese in a ceremony during the bishop's visit to the church. If you are coming from other traditions,
confirmation may be the right path and would be held during a bishop's visit to the church as well. Contact the rector for more information. Neither reception
into the church nor confirmation into the church is required in order to take communion in the Episcopal church or participate in the church community. Additionally,
if you have already been baptized by any Christian church, you do not need to be re-baptized as "We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins."
