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frequently asked questions about the Episcopal Church
What Can You Tell Me About the
Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church in the United States is part of the ANGLICAN
COMMUNION. This is a worldwide fellowship of Christians who trace
their origin to the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury in
England serves as the symbolic head of the Communion.
In the United States, the Episcopal Church has about 2.5 million
members in several thousand parishes and missions. Across the world,
there are around 70 million ANGLICANS. Many of them live in countries
that were not part of the British Empire, testifying to the missionary
vitality of the Church. Most ANGLICANS now live in Africa, where the
Church continues to experience explosive growth.
"Episcopal" means "governed by bishops." It indicates the importance
that Episcopalians attach to the historical continuity of the Church
as represented in the office of Bishop. While the Church of England
(the parent church of the Episcopal Church) separated from the Roman
Catholic Church during the reign of Henry VIII at the time of the
Reformation, it did not begin or start then. The Church in England has
a long history going back almost to the time of the Apostles. For the
first 400 years of its existence, it was largely independent from
Rome. After the Reformation, it again became independent.
Episcopalians believe that the authority of the Church lies in the
Bible, in the history and Tradition of our forbears, and in the use of
our own Reason. Together, Scripture, Tradition, and Reason guide and
inform us as we seek to live the Christian life within our modern
world. We encourage people to explore the faith and ask questions. We
are unafraid of doubt and the quest it can inspire, because we believe
Truth ultimately resides in Jesus Christ. Thus, an honest exploration
in search of Truth cannot be detrimental to our faith.
Episcopal belief is centered on Jesus Christ and is represented
pre-eminently in the Nicene Creed. The Creed is an ancient statement
of Christianity that was born of the early Church's struggle to
understand and vocalize its experience of God in the Risen Jesus
Christ.
Our sense of ministry and vocation flows from our Baptismal Covenant (Book
of Common Prayer p304-305). Our worship is focused upon the
Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (or Communion). We believe that we
are united to Jesus and grow in His image as we receive His life in
the bread that is His Body and the wine that is His Blood.
Active involvement and interaction, as well as the "beauty of
holiness," characterize our worship services. Experiencing the beauty
of God, we strive to reflect and convey God's Presence through the
beauty of our worship. We also seek to involve the congregation as
active ministers, imparting to the people the message that the
Christian life is not passive, but rather to be lived out in the
world. Thus, Episcopalians pray with the priest, sing, kneel, stand,
cross themselves, partake of Communion, and perform many functions
within the service.
The Episcopal Church is a church of commitment. Because we believe
God’s Presence permeates this world through the Incarnation of Christ
in Jesus as continued through Christ’s Body the Church, we expect our
members to be proactive in being Christ's presence in the world.
Episcopalians are expected to worship faithfully and regularly with
their parish and on their own, to deepen their knowledge and love of
the Lord through devotion and education, to give a tithe for the work
of the Church, and to pray and labor for the values and reality of the
Kingdom of God in their community and throughout the world.
Come and find Jesus Christ, alive and present today in the Episcopal
Church!
What Does the Episcopal Church
Value?
On Being An Episcopalian
If you are searching and find these concepts appeal to you, we believe
you will find a home in the Episcopal Church. If you do, we welcome
you to the family of Christ Church.
1.
WORSHIP that brings you in, instead of putting you on the sidelines.
2. A
THEOLOGY that demands our intelligence rather than ignoring it.
3. A
WILLINGNESS not only to tolerate, but also to celebrate differences.
4. A
HERITAGE that takes the Bible seriously yet is not bound by
literalism.
5. A
strong sense of COMMUNITY in which our consensus is in our common
relationship to Jesus Christ rather than to an enforced conformity of
opinion.
6. A
devotion to the SACRAMENTS as instituted by Jesus through the
Tradition of the Church and which evoke awe rather than factual
explanation.
7. A
sense of MINISTRY that is rightfully the obligation and privilege of
every baptized person.
8. An
insistence on MORALITY (what is good and loving) as opposed to
MORALISM (judgmental salvation by code instead of Christ).
Adapted from the Church of the Good Shepherd, Bonita CA.
What Is Expected of Your Parish
Leaders?
All who enter into leadership
positions at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke are asked to sign, and
work to keep, our parish "Rule of Life." The language "Rule" comes
from an old monastic term, and does not imply a legalistic
requirement, but rather an ideal and a goal. We know that no one can
perfectly keep our Rule all of the time. Yet it is a standard towards
which we strive. We believe that in the journey towards it, our life
is enriched and our experience of God made more profound. As leaders,
it also enables us to model a daily Christian practice for our
congregants.
The Parish Rule of Life
By the grace of God, I affirm that as
a baptized minister of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke I commit
myself to strive to journey toward the full living of the following
Christian Rule of Life:
I will take as my standard of life the
Baptismal Covenant (BCP
p304), making every effort to fully live its faith and precepts.
I will pray for, support, uphold, and
further the mission of the Church (BCP p855 and the parish Mission and
Vision Statements).
I will undertake a program of personal
spiritual growth through daily Bible reading and study, daily personal
and intercessory prayer, continued Christian education, and, when
possible, annual spiritual retreats and regular spiritual direction.
I will regularly attend weekly
worship, at which I will listen to the Word of God and receive the
Body and Blood of Christ.
I will work toward tithing my income
(offering 10% of gross income) as a sign of my trust in God and of my
commitment to God's work, and as a way of offering thanks to God for
the blessings and life given me in Jesus.
How Would I Become A Part of the
Cathedral Community?
Membership at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke begins when the
date and place of one's baptism are recorded in the parish register.
All persons who have been baptized in any Christian Church with water
and in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are full members
of the Episcopal Church when this registration occurs.
If a person is not baptized, baptism in the Episcopal Church makes one
a full member thereof. Click here for baptismal information
The Cathedral offers Newcomers Classes and a Newcomers Dinner twice a
year, as well as inquirers classes on the Episcopal Church, for people
desiring additional information about membership. These sessions can
lead to a public renewal of one’s baptism as a testimony to one’s new
identity as an Episcopalian and/or Cathedral member.
Persons seeking to become members should contact the cathedral office,
either to be baptized, or so that the date and place of their baptism
can be recorded in our register.
You may also fill out our
"Join
Us!"
form on-line.
What are the Responsibilities of
Membership?
The Episcopal Church expects all of its adult members to make a
"mature public affirmation" of their faith in and commitment to Jesus
Christ. This is done through:
Baptism (if a person is not already baptized)
Confirmation (if a person was baptized at an early age or has never
made any sort of mature commitment to Jesus Christ)
Reception (if a person is joining the Episcopal Church from another
Christian denomination in which a previous mature commitment to Christ
was made)
Confirmation and Reception occur during the Bishop's
visit to the Cathedral or at another celebration at which the Bishop
is present. Baptisms occur according to the parish's baptismal
policy.
Formation classes are held on an ongoing basis which prepare
people of all ages and backgrounds for meaningful membership in the
Church through baptism, confirmation, or reception. The clergy in
conjunction with other staff and volunteers lead them.
All Members (established and new) are expected to take the vows
and responsibilities of the Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common
Prayer, p304) seriously. The Catechism (Book of Common Prayer,
p856) describes what this entails:
The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together
week
By week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the
Spread of the kingdom of God.
To work and pray for the spread of God's kingdom involves a daily
discipline of prayer, Scripture reading, and devotion. It means a
commitment to live each day as a witness and disciple of Jesus Christ.
Not only is our time volunteered for the work of the Church, but each
hour of our home and work lives is consecrated to Jesus and lived
according to God’s will.
The standard of giving established by the General Convention and
Canons of the Episcopal Church is 10% of one's income. All
Episcopalians are urged by the Church to pursue this Biblical measure
as an act of faith, trust, commitment, and thanksgiving.
Thus, all members at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke are encouraged
and enabled to be enthusiastic, essential parts of our common life as
we make real the healing love, spiritual vitality, and eternal life of
God's kingdom in Jesus Christ.
What Would Membership Do for Me?
At the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, you can expect to receive:
A sense of belonging in a caring, welcoming, and accepting community
A safe, uplifting environment for yourself and your household
Purpose and direction for your life as you are challenged and
empowered to be the person God created you to be
Quality Christian formation opportunities for all ages
Friendship and fellowship, recreation and fun
Support and guidance in living the Christian life
Hope for the future
Spiritual growth with a deepening awareness of God's joy and
love in your life and in the world
What About Your Parish Finances?
Complete financial information, including (but not limited to) the
following, is available upon request:
Financial safeguards and procedures
Most recent audit report
Annual income
Current Operating and Capital budgets
Year-to-date financial statements
Capital campaign priorities
Average operating and capital pledges among parish leaders
Average operating and capital pledges among parish members
The Cathedral Church of St. Luke strives to operate with a balanced
budget annually, and considers its fiduciary responsibilities to be of
paramount importance. To this end, we have on staff a bookkeeper and
we conduct an audit annually. We also utilize a volunteer treasurer as
well as finance committee and endowment committees to assist the
Vestry in overseeing the wise stewardship of parish finances.
The Cathedral Church of St. Luke also has a planned giving committee
whose sole responsibility is to receive and administer planned gifts.
Income from donations may be utilized for special ministries outside
of regular parish operations (except in cases of extreme emergency as
determined by the board), or as designated by the donor.
A
variety of planned gifts can be arranged which will maximize the
donor's tax benefit in ways advantageous to the donor's current
financial needs and position.
What Is Your Worship Schedule?
Please see the
worship section of this web site.
Where Can I Park?
For first-time visitors and those needing handicapped parking spaces,
there are reserved "Guest" spots in the circle in front of the
cathedral on State Street. There is also parking in behind the
cathedral on Park Street.
What Christian Education
Opportunities are Available?
Please see the
Christian Education section of this WEB page.
I Have A Baby – Can She Stay with Me
in Church?
Absolutely! We welcome the cries of life a young child can add to our
service! However, if your child is in a particularly cantankerous mood
one Sunday {we’ve all been there :-) }, feel free to come and go from
worship as needed.
There is a soft area with quiet toys and books in the back of the
cathedral. A
changing table and a comfortable chair for nursing are in the nursery
and the rest rooms off the parish hall.
What If I Would Prefer to Use a
Nursery – Do You Have One?
Of course! Our nursery is staffed by trained, paid personnel. It is
located through the Park Street Parking lot entryway, in the Sunday
School Hallway. During worship, we also have nursery care in the
upper parish hall.
My Child is a Little Older but Gets
Bored During the Sermon – Is There Anything for Him?
Indeed! For children too old for the nursery yet too young to be
attentive in Church, we offer the "Children’s Church" during the
sermon. Please see the Christian Education section of this web
site.
If I have An Emergency, Whom Do I
Contact?
Call the Cathedral office at 207 772-5434 and leave a confidential
voicemail in the Dean's voice mailbox.
In addition to our clergy, the Cathedral Church of St. Luke has an
active pastoral care committee, a group of caring Christian friends
who can offer a listening ear to help others through the tough times
of life. To learn more about being involved with, or receiving
assistance from, the pastoral care committee, please contact the
cathedral office
What Expectations Do You Have for
Financial Giving?
Guests and newcomers are welcome to attend without any expectation on
our part that any donation will be made – we are more than happy to
offer our services as a gift that we pray will be a blessing for you.
Members are expected to make a financial pledge annually in order to
support our ministries. While the amount of the pledge is always a
prayerful decision involving the pledger and God, and can be of any
amount (pledges range from less than $1 per week to several hundred
per week, the Church has established the Biblical tithe of 10% of
income as the standard toward which Christians should strive. Pledge
cards are available in the cathedral office
How Can I Get Involved in the
Cathedral’s Recreational, Fellowship, and Ministry Opportunities?
Please contact either the office at 772-5434 get more detailed
information about anything described in this WEB page, or in order to
offer your talents and time for a new ministry, or to join any of our
activities.
How Can I (or My Child) be Baptized?
Click here for detailed information about our baptismal
preparation process for adults and children.
What is the Next Step?
Contact the Dean, Ben Shambaugh at 772-5434 or
via e-mail at bshambaugh@cathedralofstluke.org
to discuss your questions, learn more about our parish, and/or
experience our worship. He or another member of our staff will be
happy to set up a personal appointment and/or talk via phone/email.
And please, join us at one of our worship services. You will be warmly
welcomed! Our parish greeters and ushers will also be happy to show
you around, introduce you to folks, and get you whatever information
can be of service to you. We’d love the opportunity to get to know you
better!
Of course, you can take all the time you want to decide about joining
the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. We just appreciate having you here,
worshipping with us, whether or not you ever make the commitment to
become a member.
Yet if you have decided to take this step of dedication and support,
please fill out our “Join us" form in order to transfer your
membership and begin the process of renewing your faith in this
particular Christian family.
Is God calling you to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke?
Become an active, committed disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ
and a vital part of our congregation's mission.
God wants you, and so do we!
“The Frequently Asked Questions Page
was developed by Christ Church, Norcross, Georgia, and used with
permission the rector.”
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