Membership

Our Church Mission

Epiphany's mission, both created and practiced by your members, is
"to bring Christ into the lives of others." The statement is intended to guide our activities and behavior, both personally and communally.

Joining Epiphany

We rejoice in all who come to Epiphany for worship and service, be they friends, members, or communicants.

A friend of the parish is any person who is visiting, getting to know us, and interested in our church.

According to canon law of the Episcopal Church of the USA (Title I, Canon 17, Section l (a), one becomes a member of our church by:
1. being baptized, in this church or any other,
2. having that baptism recorded in Epiphany's register,
3. looking to Epiphany as his or her parish,
4. attending church regularly and participating in our programs,
5. giving systematically through a recorded pledge or gift.

Obviously, those baptisms occurring at Epiphany are recorded here. If your baptism occurred in another church, whether Episcopal or another Christian denomination, contact your former church and request a "letter of transfer". This act will transfer your baptismal and confirmation record to Epiphany.

For those who have reached an age of choice and reason during their Epiphany membership (usually about age 12), and for those who have joined the Episcopal church as an adult, the next step is to become a communicant of Epiphany through being blessed by the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation. Annually, a few weeks before the Bishop's visit, Fr. Pete will schedule classes for those wishing to confirm their Baptismal vows.

If you have transferred your Baptism and Confirmation records from another sacramental church, such as Lutheran or Roman Catholic, you will become a communicant by being received by the Bishop during the Confirmation service.

To be a communicant in good standing, one must receive Holy Communion at least three times per year (Title I, Canon 17, Section 2(a) and be faithful in corporate worship and working, praying, and giving for the spreading of the Kingdom of God (Title I, Canon 17, Section 3).

A member of the church may participate in all activities of the parish and church, with the exception of being elected to the Vestry or licensed by the Bishop as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. These positions must by filled by Episcopalians who are communicants in good standing of this parish.