The Episcopal Church USA

New to the Episcopal Church?

The video below, from the Episcopal Church USA website, presents the story of a young woman finding a welcome place at an Episcopal church in Boston. It’s a story told about Episcopal churches throughout the country (as the other videos on the playlist will affirm).

We in the Episcopal Church strive to live by the message of Christ, in which all are loved and all are welcome. There are no outcasts here.  We walk a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions.  We find that, as science reveals ever more to us, our faith is not weakened, but strengthened. Our beliefs as Episcopalians are beautifully articulated in this article: I am an Episcopalian.

On Sundays, you’ll  find timeless and reverent sacraments in Episcopal churches everywhere, intermingled with contemporary elements – particularly in music. You’ll also, undoubtedly, find thoughtful and lively debate about what we are called to do and what it means, exactly, to live in Christ. You’ll find people who serve in their community, gladly and open-handedly. We pray, study, play and serve together.

Church leadership

The Episcopal church is divided into parishes (congregations), which combine to make dioceses, who report to the national Episcopal church, which is affiliated with the worldwide Anglican church. We are a part of the Episcopal Church in Colorado, the diocese. The word Episcopal comes from the Greek word meaning bishop, and the leader of each diocese in the Episcopal Church, including our diocese, is a bishop.

Each diocese is made up of all the parishes located in a certain region, and each parish is led by one or more ordained priests. The chief sacramental and liturgical leader of an Episcopal parish is known as the rector. Congregational leadership for the parish is provided by lay members serving as senior and junior wardens and as members of the vestry, the governing council for the parish.