I've been a part of another Christian tradition. What can I expect?
First of all, welcome! Episcopalians and Presbyterians consider themselves only one part of the universal church, and should you choose to sojourn with us, your experience as a Christian from another tradition will be considered a strength. We accept the sacraments and rites of other churches as valid, including baptism and confirmation.
We follow Western liturgical norms, descended from the Churches of England and Scotland. The association of daughter churches of the Church of England is called the Anglican Communion. The association of churches descended from the Swiss Reformation are known as the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Due to the ecumenical liturgical consensus reached during the last century, most western liturgical worship is very similar. Lutherans and Roman Catholics will find our services at least somewhat familiar.
Our central act of worship is the Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to partake of the bread and wine. Episcopalians believe that the true presence of Christ enters the bread and wine during the Eucharistic prayer, but we do not subscribe to any particular philosophical definition of how this happens, such as transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Presbyterians believe that Jesus is genuinely present in the reception of the Eucharist by the recipient. The difference between our two theologies is real, but does not actually change how we celebrate the Sacrament.
The Episcopal Church preserves the historic three-fold orders of ordained ministry (Bishop, Priest, and Deacon) as handed done to us from the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Presbyterian Church maintains one order of Teaching Elders (Pastor), the order of Ruling Elders, and the order of Deacons. People of any gender may be ordained in both churches and may be married. The emphasis on lay participation in all levels of our church governance is a hallmark of both churches’ polity.
In the matter of members of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Community (LGBTQIA+), all people are beloved children of God who may be full members of the church and deserve access to the sacraments. Their children may, of course, be baptized and are likewise full members of the church. LGBTQIA+ persons serve at all levels of our ordained ministry. At St. Matthias, same-sex marriages can be performed for members of the church.
First of all, welcome! Episcopalians and Presbyterians consider themselves only one part of the universal church, and should you choose to sojourn with us, your experience as a Christian from another tradition will be considered a strength. We accept the sacraments and rites of other churches as valid, including baptism and confirmation.
We follow Western liturgical norms, descended from the Churches of England and Scotland. The association of daughter churches of the Church of England is called the Anglican Communion. The association of churches descended from the Swiss Reformation are known as the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Due to the ecumenical liturgical consensus reached during the last century, most western liturgical worship is very similar. Lutherans and Roman Catholics will find our services at least somewhat familiar.
Our central act of worship is the Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to partake of the bread and wine. Episcopalians believe that the true presence of Christ enters the bread and wine during the Eucharistic prayer, but we do not subscribe to any particular philosophical definition of how this happens, such as transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Presbyterians believe that Jesus is genuinely present in the reception of the Eucharist by the recipient. The difference between our two theologies is real, but does not actually change how we celebrate the Sacrament.
The Episcopal Church preserves the historic three-fold orders of ordained ministry (Bishop, Priest, and Deacon) as handed done to us from the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Presbyterian Church maintains one order of Teaching Elders (Pastor), the order of Ruling Elders, and the order of Deacons. People of any gender may be ordained in both churches and may be married. The emphasis on lay participation in all levels of our church governance is a hallmark of both churches’ polity.
In the matter of members of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Community (LGBTQIA+), all people are beloved children of God who may be full members of the church and deserve access to the sacraments. Their children may, of course, be baptized and are likewise full members of the church. LGBTQIA+ persons serve at all levels of our ordained ministry. At St. Matthias, same-sex marriages can be performed for members of the church.
