The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is is composed of nearly 3 million Americans in all 50 states. It has its herritage in the Church of England. The Episcopal Church is strongly sacramental, placing an emphasis on the Eucharist (communion) and Baptism in the life of the church and people. In this way, liturgy may look very similar to that in the Roman Catholic or Lutheran Churches. The Episcopal Church is really a hybrid between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism in the US. We have liturgical and theological similarities to both the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches.

There are some important distinctions about the Episcopal Church:

We ordain woman to serve as Deacons, Priests (our equivalent of ministers/pastors), and Bishops.

Episcopal polity is largely democratic, relying on the voices of both clergy and the laity.

All Episcopal Churches are included in a local geographic diocese. Each diocese has a bishop (known as the "episcopate") as the the chief ecclesiastical authority. In this way, each church community is connected to the larger geographic whole.

Episcopalians are in apostolic succession just like Roman Catholics (we can trace our ordination succession back to St. Peter).

Episcopalians balance Scripture, Tradition, and Reason in our theology.

All Baptized Christians may take communion in the Episcopal Church.

Episcopalians are creedal, not confessional. There is no official set of beliefs that you need to agree to to become a member. Membership is determined by participation in the life of the church. That said, there are many understandings about theology and Christianity, which are central to our belief system. Check out this link for more specifics: Catechism

for more info. see: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/welcome

Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

The Anglican Communion

The Episcopal Church is the Anglican Church in the United States. Episcopalians are Anglicans. The Anglican Communion is made up of national Anglican churches throughout the world. There ar nearly 80 Million Anglicans worldwide. The Anglican Communion is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, second only to the Roman Catholic Church. The Anglican Communion looks to the Archbishop of Canterbury (the head of the Church of England) as the communion's figurehead.

For more information see: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/index.html

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

In 2001 the Episcopal Church entered full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Agreement is titled "Called to Common Mission." It means that the Episcopal Church recognizes the ELCA's 4 million members' ministry (and visa versa). Episcopalians and Lutherans agreed to work together for a common mission, even exchanging clergy. Episcopal Priests could serve in Lutheran churches and Lutheran Pastors could serve in Episcopal Churches. Today, Episcopalians and Lutherans work closely together, exchanging many resources and sharing our diverse gifts.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America