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What is an Episcopalian?
A person who belongs to an Episcopal church is called an "Episcopalian."

Do you have to be an Episcopalian to worship at a church like St. Thomas?
No. Our services are open to all people, regardless of background or faith tradition.

What is the Episcopal Church?
The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion; derived from the Church of England and sharing with it traditions of faith and order as set forth in its Book of Common Prayer.

What do Episcopalians believe?
There are three basic sources of Episcopal Church beliefs:

1. Scripture (the primary source)
The Old and New Testaments contain the essence of Christian doctrine. They reveal God to humankind, and tell of our response to God in history. The Bible helps us to know God's will, revealed supremely through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Scriptures are the word of God, proclaiming that Jesus - both God and human being - is Christ, the Messiah.

2. Reason (gifts of the Holy Spirit)
The Episcopal Church does not control interpretation and practice. Instead, members are encouraged to use reason to explore and comprehend God's works; to make responsible moral decisions under the guidance of Scripture, the ordained ministry and in response to sincere prayer.

3. Tradition (wisdom of generations past)
Tradition helps us to interpret Scripture; lets us share experiences of early Christians and believers of every era; preserves hymns, prayers, etc., that keep our faith alive; strengthens our faith. Through its continuity and consistency, tradition helps preserve essential truths through liturgy.

How do Episcopalians worship?
The Episcopal Church worships in the "liturgical style," which means all Episcopal churches
follow a relatively common order of service - similar prayers, readings, rituals, etc. (See next section for more information on what to expect at an Episcopal service.) We use three central texts:

1. The Bible
2. The Book of Common Prayer (contains calendar of Church year, order of Bible readings, orders of services, and some of the most beautiful prayers ever written)
3. The Hymnal

The Book of Common Prayer tells us that private worship is not always adequate; religion is a fellowship. You relate to the whole church through your parish, your local church community. Being with a community of believers inspires us, nurtures us, encourages us, and comforts us.

What is the structure of the Episcopal Church?
Within the Episcopal Church all people are ministers. Some are called into special ministry positions to which they are "ordained." These are deacons, priests, and bishops who are together called "clergy." All others are called "lay people." All participate in the work of the church and all participate in its governance.

"Episcopal" means "governed by bishops." An unbroken line of bishops may be traced back to the early church commissioned by Jesus. Bishops are the spiritual overseers of their dioceses (groups of churches, parishes and missions), which elected them to office. Bishops act as counselors to clergy; ordain ( or "invest officially with priestly authority") priests and deacons; consecrate(or "bless, invoke divine care for") other bishops; administer Confirmation (a mature affirmation of one's faith); are final counselors in church matters. Together, bishops share responsibility for the welfare of the church.

Priests are parish leaders. The full scope of their duties covers every pastoral, spiritual and educational activity. Specifically, priests celebrate the Eucharist, baptize, pronounce absolution from sins, and perform many other duties.

Deacons assist priests in parish work, or minister in missions or unorganized parishes. They cannot perform sacramental acts of the priesthood; though not allowed to celebrate the Eucharist, they may minister the consecrated Holy Communion at a service, to the sick, etc.

Are women allowed to serve as priests in the Episcopal church?
Yes.

Are Episcopal priests allowed to marry?
Yes.

What is the total membership of the Anglican Community?
The total membership of the worldwide Anglican Communion is approximately 76 million. Each of the 38 national or multi-national churches, called "provinces," has wide powers of self-government. They independently decide who is eligible for ordination. The leader of each province and the bishops meet every ten years at the Lambeth Conference. They attempt to reach general agreement on basic matters of faith and social policy.

Other Frequently Asked Questions (Microsoft Word format)

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What to Expect When You Visit an Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church worships in the "liturgical style," which means all Episcopal churches
follow a common order of service - similar prayers, readings, rituals, etc.
Here's a summary of what you can expect when you visit an Episcopal church today.

You'll Be Welcome!
We extend a cordial welcome to you to worship with us, no matter what your background or faith tradition. You don't have to be an Episcopalian to worship at an Episcopal church. You will find the services of the Episcopal Church beautiful in their ordered dignity, God-centered, and yet mindful of the nature and needs of human beings.

You Will Not Be Embarrassed
When you visit an Episcopal church, you will be our respected and welcome guest. You will not be singled out in an embarrassing way, nor asked to stand before the congregation nor to come forward. You will worship God with us. Should you wish to know more about the Episcopal Church or how one becomes an Episcopalian, the pastor will gladly answer your questions and suggest the way to membership.

The Place of Worship
As you enter, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence. Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles; but whether the church be small or large, elaborate or plain, your eye is carried to the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose house the church is.

On or near the altar there are candles to remind us that Christ is the ``Light of the world'' (John 8:12). Often there are flowers, to beautify God's house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.
On one side at the front of the church, there may be a lectern-pulpit, or stand, for the proclamation of the Word; here the Scriptures are read and the sermon is preached. In many churches, however, the lectern is separate from the pulpit and stands on the opposite side of the church.

The Act of Worship
In the pews you will find the Book of Common Prayer, the use of which enables the congregation to share fully in every service. The large print is the actual service. The smaller print gives directions to ministers and people for conduct of the service.

You may wonder when to stand or kneel. Practices vary - even among individual Episcopalians.
The general rule is to stand to sing - hymns (found in the Hymnal in the pews) and other songs (many of them from the Holy Bible) called canticles or chants and printed as part of the service. We stand, too, to say our affirmation of faith, the Creed; and for the reading of the Gospel in the Holy Eucharist. Psalms are sung or said sitting or standing. We sit during readings from the Old Testament or New Testament Letters, the sermon, and the choir anthems. We stand or kneel for prayer to show our gratefulness to God for accepting us as children or as an act of humility before God.

The Regular Services
The principal service is the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). In some Episcopal churches it is celebrated quite simply, without music, early on Sunday morning. Weekday celebrations also are frequently without music, and without sermon. When celebrated at a later hour on Sundays, or on other great Christian days such as Christmas, music and a sermon are customary.

Another service is Morning Prayer. The parallel evening service is Evening Prayer. These services consist of psalms, Bible readings, and prayers; and may include a sermon. They may be with or without music.

While some parts of the services are always the same, others change. At the Holy Eucharist, for example, two or three Bible selections are read. These change each Sunday. So do the psalms. Certain of the prayers also change, in order to provide variety. Page numbers for parts of the service printed elsewhere in the Book are usually announced or given in the service leaflet. But do not be embarrassed to ask your neighbor for the page number.

Before and After Services
It is the custom upon entering church to kneel in one's pew for a prayer of personal preparation for worship. In many churches it is also the custom to bow to the altar on entering and leaving the church as an act of reverence for Christ.

Episcopalians do not talk in church before a service but use this time for personal meditation and devotions. At the end of the service some persons kneel for a private prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the organ postlude.

Vestments
To add to the beauty and festivity of the services, and to signify their special ministries, the clergy and other ministers wear vestments. Choir vestments usually consist of an undergown called a cassock (usually black) and a white, gathered overgown called a surplice. The clergy may also wear cassock and surplice.

Another familiar vestment is the alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles. Over it (or over the surplice) ordained ministers wear a stole, a narrow band of colored fabric. At the Holy Eucharist a bishop or priest frequently wears a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. Bishops sometimes wear a special head covering called a mitre. Vestment colors change with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colors are white, red, violet, and green.

The Church Year
The Episcopal Church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6).
Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.

During these times the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. During the rest of the year - the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays) - the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings.

Coming and Going
If there are ushers they will greet you, and may escort you to a pew. If you desire, they will answer your questions about the service. Pews are usually unreserved in Episcopal churches.
Following the service the pastor greets the people as they leave.

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To learn more about the Episcopal Church
and the worldwide Anglican tradition, click here now.
Or call the St. Thomas church office at (269) 965-2244.

You may also enjoy reading a list of "Frequently Asked Questions"
about the Episcopal Church. (Microsoft Word format)

St. Thomas is conveniently located in downtown Battle Creek
on the corner of Capital Avenue and Van Buren Street,
directly across from the Willard Public Library. (See the online map.) Welcome!