What is the Episcopal Church? The Episcopal Church is part of Christ's "one holy catholic and apostolic" church. "Episcopal" means we are governed by and organized into dioceses. We trace the succession of bishops in this country back to the in the 17th Century and through it to the European of the Middle Ages to the apostles of New Testament times. The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide , with 70 million members in 163 countries. We are a community of Christians bound together by our belief that Holy Scripture contains the very core of all Christian faith. Through the many ancient, as well as modern, stories that connects us to Jesus and his teachings, we discover God's hope and call to us in our life together.

What Do Episcopalians Believe? We believe there is One God who creates all things, redeems us from sin and death and renews us as the Children of God. As Episcopalians we promise to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We believe the mission of our church is restoration of all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

What is an Episcopal Church service like? In worship, we are united, acknowledging the holiness of God, to hear God's Word, to offer prayer and to celebrate God's presence among us.

All are welcome to participate in our worship because it is in worship that we live out our life as a Christian family together. Scripture is the foundation of our worship. The service follows an order found in our worship book called the , two-thirds of which is scriptural. Every worship service includes the reading of Holy Scripture from the Old and New Testaments. Many of our prayers and hymns are filled with scripture.

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER includes a variety of ancient and modern prayers and worship services for occasions when the whole community gathers and for individual use. The Book of Common Prayer allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guidebook for daily Christian living. Music, both traditional and contemporary, is an integral part of uniting our prayers and Scripture. The Book of Common Prayer is in every pew, but also, it can be purchased for private devotions, in a book store, such as Barnes and Noble.

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In our worship service, we celebrate God with us through water, bread and wine. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us through water we are united with God. We call this Baptism. The Episcopal Church believes through baptism in any , we become brothers and sisters in God's family.

Does the Episcopal Church use creeds in worship services? In the Episcopal Church, we say both the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed in our worship. Because we are a community of faith, we openly declare our beliefs and in this way unite ourselves to Christians in the past, present and future.

The Apostles' Creed dates from the early years of the Christian Church and was used as a statement of faith at Baptism. The Apostles' Creed is included in the services of daily Morning and daily Evening Prayer that may be used both at church and in private devotions. It can be found in the Book of Common Prayer.

The Nicene Creed was written in the year 325 by early bishops meeting in Nicaea (modern-day Turkey). It is a statement which summarizes the Christian faith and is said in unison during services of Holy (the reenactment of the Lord's Supper).

Do I have to believe everything in the creeds? Relationship with God is a personal journey and also one we share with others in this community of faith. The Creeds clearly state the beliefs of the Church, and we recite them as we join with those around us in the process of discovering our own relationship with God. So it is not easy to answer this question "yes" or "no." It is important that we take part with fellow seekers in this lifelong journey. Most Episcopalians are comfortable with the realities of modern science and our ever expanding knowledge of history while accepting the theological truths of the Creeds and Scripture. These truths tell us that God is the Creator, that we matter and that God cares.

What if I have doubts or questions? It is not unusual to have doubts and questions. In the Episcopal Church, questions are encouraged. There are many groups, classes and forums available for discussing questions with other seekers. Episcopal Churches have classes at different times throughout the year. In addition, the are eager to be contacted for help with questions.

What are the foundations of belief? In the Episcopal Church, we are called to live out our faith on a daily basis, whether we are at home, school, work or recreation. The cornerstones of our faith are Scripture, tradition and reason.

What do Episcopalians believe about Scripture? Scripture is the word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The 39 books of the Old Testament contain the story of God's love from the time of Creation to the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. The books contain God's laws as He gave them to The Hebrew people.

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The New Oxford Annotated Bible is the most widely used study Bible in schools, colleges, seminaries, and universities across the nation. An indispensable tool for people who desire a modern translation combined with outstanding study helps. The New Testament contains Christ's teachings, the accounts of his life as told by his followers and the beginning of the Church. It is written in 27 books. Within an Episcopal worship service, Scripture is read in the lessons, the Gospel (the teachings of Jesus), the Psalms (poems from the Old Testament) and other prayers.

What role does tradition play? We are not Christians in isolation but are part of a living faith that spans 2000 years. Tradition is the embodiment of our experience as Christians throughout the centuries. The heart of our tradition is expressed through the Bible, the Creeds, the of the Lord's Supper and Baptism and the ordained ministry passed on by Christ to his Church. Our tradition is expressed with many voices, among which are a variety of worship styles, languages, cultures, architecture and music. Our tradition encourages this diversity. We seek to value the life and story each person brings to the community of faith. As in a multi-textured tapestry, each person's offering is woven into the life of the whole making it stronger and more beautiful.

What part does reason play in the way Episcopalians believe? Each one of us, with God's help, makes a decision about how we use tradition and Scripture in our lives. A personal relationship with God allows us to realize and celebrate our lives to the fullest. The gifts of reason, as a complement to Scripture and tradition, leads us to seek answers to our own questions and to grow spiritually. Being active in a community of faith strengthens us to carry our faith into the world. Weaving Scripture, tradition and reason together, we strengthen our faith and grow as Children of God.

What is the Book of Common Prayer? The Book of Common Prayer is our guide to worship and devotion. Scripture is the foundation of our worship and two-thirds of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Old and New Testaments.

Our current Book of Common Prayer, revised in 1979, was originally compiled by the of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, in 1549. There are more than 70 million Anglicans (Episcopalians) in 163 countries throughout the world, using a Book of Common Prayer in their own language, reflecting our diversity and ethnic backgrounds.

The Book of Common Prayer is a collection of ancient and modern prayers and worship services for occasions when the community gathers and for individual use as well. It allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guidebook for daily Christian living.

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Why call it "Common" Prayer? Common does not mean ordinary. These are the prayers we say together or "in common" when we worship as a community.

Can the Book of Common Prayer be used in personal devotions? Yes, in private daily prayers or with family, prayers in the morning and evening, special prayers of praise or thanksgiving, requests for others, and for special occasions. All 150 Psalms or poems from the Old Testament are contained in the Book of Common Prayer and can be read at any time. A calendar for reading through the entire Bible every two years, as well as an outline of the Episcopal faith and Church history, is also included. The Book of Common Prayer is in every pew, but also, it can be purchased for private devotions, in a book store, such as Barnes and Noble.

Can I make up my own prayers? The Book of Common Prayer is meant to complement daily individual prayers, not replace them. Every service in the book includes time for personal prayer requests, either silent or aloud. Prayers from your heart and mind and of your own words and thoughts are the most important prayers.

The Book of Common Prayer has been a source of comfort, joy and inspiration, a unique treasure in Christian worship for more than 400 years.

What services are included in the Book of Common Prayer? The primary service is the presentation of our Lord's Last Supper with his disciples, a service that we call Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion. This is the service you are most likely to share with us when you visit an Episcopal Church on Sunday. The Book of Common Prayer also includes services for Morning and Evening Prayer as well as sacramental services such as Holy Baptism.

What are sacraments? In the Episcopal Church we take part in certain regular acts of worship. These are called sacraments or reenactments of Christ's ministries on earth. The two primary sacraments are Baptism and Holy Communion however, there are several others. We believe that God is actively present in the world and in us. In the sacraments we realize his presence and his favor towards us. Through the sacraments, which are freely given to us by God, our sins are forgiven, our minds are enlightened, our hearts stirred and our wills strengthened.

These sacraments are contained in the worship services found in the Book of Common Prayer. Additional information can be found in the Book of Common Prayer. Questions are encouraged and always welcome. Please feel free to contact the clergy at any Episcopal Church for more information.

BAPTISM is the means by which we become members of the community of believers, defined in the New Testament as the Body of Christ. Just as Jesus was baptized with water by John the Baptist, we include people in the community of faith by baptizing them with water. Following a

4 series of questions, responses and prayers, the priest pours water on the candidate. The sign of the cross may be made on the candidate's forehead with blessed oil. In the Episcopal Church, a person is baptized only once.

HOLY COMMUNION is a reenactment of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his death on the cross. All who seek God and are drawn to Christ are welcome at this table are welcome to share in this meal of bread and wine. Holy Communion is also called Holy Eucharist, the Last Supper and Mass.

Other Sacraments are , holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, unction and ordination. Confirmation is when a baptized person, who has been instructed in the Christian faith, makes a mature commitment to God within a worship setting and receives a special blessing and prayer from a . Holy Matrimony is a Christian marriage, in which a couple enter into a lifelong union and make their promises before God in a worship service. Sometimes couples who were married in a civil ceremony will have their marriage blessed in a worship service. While private confession of sins is not a requirement, anyone may request the reconciliation of a penitent from a priest and receive assurances of God's forgiveness. The confession is always made in private and kept in strict confidence. Unction is a special blessing for those who are sick or desire special prayers. A sign of the cross is made on their forehead with blessed oil. Ordination is the whereby God empowers trained persons for special ministry as deacons, priests or bishops. The service always includes the laying on of hands by bishops.

Part 1: What is Church Polity and how does it work in the Episcopal Church? The term "polity" is derived from the Greek word for "city." In general English usage, polity refers to the form of government in a city or nation and the body of laws which govern a political entity. "Church polity" refers to the form of government for an organized church. It varies amongst the different denominations. If you are new to the Episcopal church from another tradition you may think we operate the same. We don't. Traditionally there are three forms of church polity: "Episcopal"-having bishops and dioceses, "Congregational"-autonomous congregations, and "Presbyterial"-having "elders," but no "priests" or bishops.

In "Episcopal" churches (for example , Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican) the authority is vested in bishops, who make decisions of doctrine. Bishops are the chief ministers, who then ordain other ministers (priests and deacons). In "Congregational" churches (for example United Church of Christ, some Baptist churches) each congregation can decide its own doctrine and positions. Congregations may join loose associations for mutual benefit, but not to have authority over one another. Congregationalism appeared after the .

In "Presbyterial" churches (for example The Presbyterian Church (USA) and its off-shoots) there are no bishops, but congregations are organized into regional "presbyteries" and . Elected church , lay and ordained, make major decisions for congregations. Aa annual national "General Assembly" makes policy for the whole denomination.

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The Episcopal Church, USA effectively blends "episcopal" and "presbyterial" forms. There is shared decision making between clergy and lay leaders. This broadens the base for our discernment and authority. We all have equal authority-through our Baptism. We believe that authority is given to us through baptism: The Holy Spirit is active in everyone's life. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has gifts to give. This is true for everyone: Communicants, Vestry members, Deacons, Priests, and Bishops.

Baptismal authority flows from the communicants through election to the Vestry, Wardens and the . When a congregation elects Vestry members (usually at the Annual Meeting) and the Vestry and Rector select the Wardens - the authority to make decisions is transferred to them. "Good" Vestry members will listen to all before making decisions. Likewise "good" congregations will honor those decisions, whether they personally like them or not.

Vestry Authority visually looks like this. Warden's Authority like this:

Part 2: What is Church Polity and how does it work in the Episcopal Church? The Diocese is made up of all the and missions within a designated area. There are 99 Dioceses in the Episcopal Church USA. The Diocese of San Diego is made up of 45 parishes and missions from Oceanside to Murrietta to Yuma, AZ to the border of Mexico.

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Who Governs the Diocese? The bishop, elected by convention, is the head of the diocese and is the ecclesiastical authority. They oversee and guide it in combination with the convention, the standing committee and the executive council. The rules and by-laws governing the diocese are known as the diocesan constitution and canons.

What is the Executive Council? In its organizational life, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is constituted as a California nonprofit corporation. According to law, the board of directors of the diocesan executive council is the body which holds the authority to conduct the business of the diocese, including controlling its property and exercising all other powers named in the organization's articles of incorporation and by-laws.

What is the Standing Committee? The Standing Committee is a unique feature of organizational life in the Episcopal Church and exercises significant authority, ranging from granting consent to candidates for ordination to offering general advice to the bishop. The Standing Committee is composed of eight members: four clergy and four . In the absence of an elected bishop (as we are now in this Diocese) the Standing Committee is the ecclesiastical authority.

What is the Diocesan Convention? Elected delegates from every and mission gather once a year to vote on members of diocesan committees, delegates to General Convention, and any number of resolutions that may be presented. At St. David's we elect Delegates and Alternate Delegates to Diocesan Convention at our Annual Meeting. The Episcopal Church is a representative democracy: we surrender our authority to others through election of these representatives. They make decisions on our behalf. We always have the choice to continue to elect some, or elect others. This approach to leadership is uncommon in the rest of the Anglican Communion.

This is what it looks like:

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Part 3: What is Church Polity and how does it work in the Episcopal Church? The Episcopal Church USA is made up of 110 dioceses in the United States, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, , Taiwan, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands. The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Navajoland Area Mission are jurisdictions similar to a diocese. Dioceses are organized into nine provinces. Each province has a and a mission budget, but it has no authority over its member dioceses.

Who Governs the Episcopal Church? The Episcopal Church's polity was devised by the same people who wrote the United States Constitution. Dioceses have a lot of independence, like States. General Convention has two houses, like the Congress. Leaders are elected. Authority and power are shared, to provide checks and balances. The highest legislative body of the Episcopal Church is the triennial General Convention (meeting this summer in Austin, TX), consisting of the House of Deputies and the . All active (whether diocesan, coadjutor, suffragan, or assistant) and retired bishops make up the over 300 members of the House of Bishops. Diocesan conventions elect over 800 representatives (each diocese elects four laity and four clergy) to the House of Deputies. The House of Deputies elects a president and vice-president to preside at meetings. General Convention enacts two types of legislation. The first type is the rules by which the church is governed as contained in the Constitution and Canons; the second type are broad guidelines on church policy called resolutions. Either house may propose legislation. The House of Deputies only meets as a full body once every three years; however, the House of Bishops meets regularly throughout the triennium between conventions.

This is what this looks like:

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What is a "Presiding Bishop? Presently, Michael Bruce Curry is our Presiding Bishop. Elected in 2015, he is the first African American to hold the position. The Presiding Bishop is elected from and by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies for a nine-year term. The Presiding Bishop is the chief and of the Episcopal Church and is charged with providing leadership in the development of the Church's program as well as speaking on behalf of the Church. The Presiding Bishop does not possess a territorial see; since the 1970s, however, the Presiding Bishop has enjoyed extraordinary jurisdiction (metro-political authority) and has authority to visit dioceses for sacramental and preaching ministry, for consulting bishops, and for related purposes. The Presiding Bishop chairs the House of Bishops as well as the Executive Council of the General Convention. In addition, the Presiding Bishop directs the Episcopal Church Center, the national administrative headquarters of the denomination. Located at 815 Second Avenue, New York City, New York, the center is often referred to by Episcopalians simply as "815".

Sources used in Episcopal 101 http://www.holyspirit-florida.org/showpage.asp?page=episcopalian101

Most of the text for the Q&A was adapted from a series of five excellent brochures published by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/polity https://edsd.org/who-we-are/about-the-diocese/diocesan-governance/ https://www.slideshare.net/RSGracey/introduction-to-the-polity-of-the-episcopal-church-part-1 https://www.episcopalchurch.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)

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