Episcopalians
What is an Episcopalian? An Episcopalian is a Christian who belongs to the Episcopal Church.
The word "Episcopal" means, "governed by bishops". The Episcopal Church (2,500,000 members) is a member of the Anglican Communion, the third largest body of Christians in the world with 73,000,000 members. The Roman Catholic Church has 1,043,000,000 members and the Eastern Orthodox Church has 225,000,000. In the year 2000, the Episcopal Church had 7359 churches and 7741 clergy.
The Anglican Communion derived from the Church of England and the Episcopal Church shares with it traditions of faith and order as set forth in its Book of Common Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer had its beginning in 1549. The latest American revision is the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.
The earliest settlers brought the Anglican traditions to the American colonies. It spread rapidly as the country expanded westward.
The Episcopal Church is one whose traditions include attitudes that are Protestant and Catholic, ancient and reformed, liberal and conservative. It is the church of the "via media" or the "middle way". It is renowned as a church with few "musts". It points out and does not dictate a person's response to God.
Episcopalians find the fullest expression of Christianity in the Bible, the ancient Creeds, the sacraments, and the ministry. "Scripture, tradition, and reason" is the Episcopal motto. This is best understood as the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and reasonableness! It is very common and expected that in any Episcopal Church you will find people of many different backgrounds, opinions, politics, and persuasions worshiping together in peace. That is because "respect" is such an important part of the Episcopal Church.
Interpretation of the Christian faith varies somewhat from parish to parish, but within the framework of understanding of the Holy Trinity, salvation, the church, and worship. For instance, the Episcopal Church is a liturgical church. It has formal rites for public worship. It uses three texts in worship — the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Hymnal. The texts will vary little from parish to parish, but the method of conducting services may vary greatly. This variance may be from very plain services to those with great ceremony. Every Episcopal parish is different. Most are "middle of the road". Others are very charismatic and pentecostal in nature. Still others are very "Roman Catholic" in nature. Others try very hard to be like English cathedrals. Still others vie to be "low church" while their neighbors are "high church".
When Episcopalians choose a church (where they have the choice), they are usually deciding on whether they want a small or large one, a plain one or an elaborate one, and a warm (friendly) or a cold (aloof) one. They are also like everyone else in picking a church home. They want to know if they like the clergy, especially his or her personality, preaching and teaching style.
Episcopalians are sacramental. They believe there are two main sacraments instituted and ordained by Jesus. They are the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Episcopalians call the Lord's Supper the Holy Eucharist. The word "Eucharist" means thanksgiving. The five other "minor" sacraments were neither directly commanded by Christ, nor are they applicable to everyone. They are Confession (now called Reconciliation of a Penitent), Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Ordination, and Ministry of Healing (called Unction).
Clergy in the Episcopal Church are the bishops, priests, and deacons. Bishops are elected spiritual overseers of groups of parishes and missions, which includes their priests and deacons. Priests are parish and mission leaders. Deacons assist priests in parish duties. These are simple definitions of clergy duties. They all do much more. The Episcopal Church also has religious orders of monks and nuns.
Structure in the Episcopal Church is very democratic, resembling the basic government of the United States. A bishop presides over a diocese, which is a group of parishes and missions. Working for him or her is a group of priests and deacons who preside over the parishes and missions. These parishes and missions elect lay delegates who attend an annual Convention of the diocese. These Conventions make decisions for the diocese. They also elect representatives to attend the National Convention of the Episcopal Church, which makes decisions for the entire Episcopal Church. These conventions are held every three years. The Episcopal Church Convention is presided over by a Presiding Bishop. Attending the National Convention are Episcopal bishops who can be there and elected representatives who are clergy and non-clergy. Being in communion with the Church of England, the Episcopal Church recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury's primacy of honor throughout the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church in the United States, however, is self-governing.
So, being an Episcopalian means striving to fulfill Christ's mission of redemption. It means trying to follow God Commandments, raise children in Christ's' love, and being involved in building the Kingdom of God.
There is a lot to enjoy in the Episcopal Church, especially All Saints'. All Saints', Lakeland, Florida has been serving central Florida for 119 years! If you are looking for a vibrant church with a solid reputation and history, you will enjoy making this parish your home!
