What We Believe
To start:
As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance.
Core to our beliefs
The Bible
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.” pg 236 BCP
The Bible is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end. Approximately 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible.
We believe we are shaped by what we pray. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the foundation of our individual and corporate prayer and worship.
The Creeds
The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God.
In the two foundational statements of faith—the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion—we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.
The sacraments are tangible ways we touch, hear, see, taste, and smell the action of God in our lives.
Sacramental Rites of Passage include:
Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession)
Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows)
Ordination (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop)
Holy Matrimony (vows made before God and the church)
Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying)
Eucharist or Holy Communion
The sacrament of Christ body and blood and the principal act of Christian worship celebrated weekly. At St Anna’s, all are welcome to Holy Communion.
Baptism
“You are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever.” pg 308 BCP
Baptism is a full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church for the forgiveness of sins.
Baptismal Covenant
This contains a series of vows, made by all present, called the baptismal covenant. The baptismal covenant is widely regarded as the normative statement of what it means to follow Christ. Responding to a series of questions, the people affirm belief in the Trinity and promise to continue in the Christian fellowship, resist evil and repent, proclaim the gospel, serve Christ in all persons, and strive for justice and peace.
The Catechism
If you have any questions or want more information, please refer to the Book of Common Prayer catechism here: https://www.bcponline.org/Misc/catechism.html Offered in a question-and-answer format, the catechism found in the back of the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862) helps teach the foundational truths of the Episcopal faith.