You may have come here searching. We welcome you, and invite you as we walk alongside each other in love.
You may have come here with questions. We welcome you, and your questions.
You may have come here having been hurt by the Church, or feeling that the Church has left you behind. We invite you to rest here awhile, and allow us to sit with you.
You may have come seeking a faith that is ancient and yet modern. Welcome. The Episcopal Church seeks to ground its theology on the principle of scripture, tradition, and reason. We also believe that God’s revelation is ongoing in the world among us right now, for we seek to follow a living Savior, informed by the Holy Spirit. We fully affirm that faith and reason are not in opposition but are complementary—we do not deny science based on a literal reading of scripture. And yet we hear and ponder more scripture in a Sunday than many other denominations that consider themselves “Bible-based.”
If you are wondering about what the Episcopal Church holds as its core values in living faithfully in the world, one of the best places to start is with our Baptismal Covenant. It can be found online, without commentary, here.
The Baptismal Covenant is a statement of both ancient articles of faith, and an explanation of how to try live a faithful, reverent life as followers of Jesus. Our Baptismal Covenant starts with affirming ancient beliefs, and commits us to transformation and action.
The Baptismal Covenant is affirmed by us, or if we were infants, was affirmed in our names, at our baptism. All worshipers are invited to repeat it and reaffirm its principles several times throughout the year together, and are encouraged to revisit it repeatedly. Even if you were not baptized in the Episcopal Church, the Creed is offered to become your own commitment as you walk and worship alongside us. The Covenant asks us three questions about belief, and five questions about our relationship to God and each other.
In the next six sections, we will explore the core values expressed by the Baptismal Covenant. Each section will have a brief outline, and then a section to go a bit deeper, should you wish.
When we contemplate the mystery and yet presence of God, we are invited to respond in wonder, awe, reverence, and gratitude for all that God has done and has made, is doing and making, and will do and will make in the world, grounded in love and relationship. Past, present, and future, God is and sustains all.
To study a more detailed, online outline of the Episcopal faith from the Book of Common Prayer, you can go to An Outline of the Faith (commonly called the Catechism), click here