Episcopal Church FAQ
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These questions are focused toward the Episcopal Church in the United States and 16 other countries of the world. The answers are generalized and intended to give insight into the ethos, history, and worship of the Episcopal Church as a whole. Information specific to St. Matthew’s will be italicized
I am considering attending St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.
Absolutely not. In the Episcopal Church, we know that every journey toward God is unique and highly personal. You won’t be forced to think a certain way or “get in line” with everyone else. In fact, you’re welcome to bring your questions, doubts, hopes and dreams with you. There’s a good reason why the Episcopal tradition is sometimes called “the thinking person’s church.” You’ll be encouraged to think for yourself and seek guidance from God through prayer, worship, meditation, reading and any other method that works for you. Each one of us is precious to God and we all find God in different ways.
Practices vary – even among individual Episcopalians. The officiant of the service will offer direction to stand, sit or kneel.
On Sunday mornings, the 8:00 am service is a more traditional Episcopal service, with instrumental music and using more formal language. This service lasts about 45 minutes. The 10:30 am sanctuary service contains music with both traditional hymns and contemporary worship music and lasts 65-75 minutes. Both services offer readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon by a member of the clergy, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. On Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm, we offer a small group contemplative space, based on yoga as embodied prayer. It is held in the Fun ‘n Fitness room, which is on the first floor of the orange day school building that faces Mesa Avenue.
On Wednesdays, St. Matthew’s clergy officiate at a Noon Healing Service.
This service is a warm and intimate celebration of the Holy Communion, including a dignified ritual of “laying on of hands” for those who come for healing. Special emphasis, too, is given to those holy women and holy men whose days on the liturgical calendar we honor during the year.
There is a 6:00 pm Evening Prayer held on Zoom every evening, which provides a space for the church to pray for all those on our St. Matthew’s Intercessory Prayer List.
No. All people are welcome regardless of background. Many of our members come to us from other faith traditions or Christian communities, or without a faith background of any kind. In the Episcopal Church, you can find a community of people united by their faith in God and eagerness to serve others.
All are welcome to participate in our worship because it is in worship that we are challenged and find support in our life as a Christian family together. Anyone can join an Episcopal congregation who desires to follow Christ.
A person who belongs to the Episcopal Church is called an “Episcopalian.” The word “Episcopal” means a church governed by bishops. We call our local churches “parishes,” which are governed by an elected “vestry” of laypeople who help lead the church and make important day-to-day decisions. An ordained minister of an Episcopal congregation is usually called a “priest.” In the Episcopal Church, priests are allowed to marry and women may also serve as priests.
Yes, the person will be welcomed home to any congregation.
The Episcopal Church worships in the “liturgical style,” which means all Episcopal churches follow a relatively common order of service. Being with a community of believers inspires us, nurtures us, encourages us, and comforts us. Scripture and the Eucharist (Holy Communion) are the foundations of our worship. The service follows an order found in our worship book called the Book of Common Prayer; however, a service leaflet is distributed every Sunday to help you follow along. Our Sunday services throughout the year usually include an opening procession, singing, Bible readings, prayers for ourselves and others, time for meditation, a sermon, and Communion (Holy Eucharist) where we share bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ and the Last Supper.
Don’t worry. You won’t be embarrassed or singled out. At St. Matthew’s, as with most Episcopal churches, we provide a “service bulletin” during each Sunday service. It guides you through the service and provides basic instructions for participation. Once you’ve been to a few services, it will seem like second nature to you. The Book of Common Prayer can also serve as a guide to our Sunday worship service (sometimes called our “liturgy”), as well as a wide range of other services for everything from baptism to funerals.
Yes. All people are welcome to approach the front of the church during the Communion portion of the service, even if you’re not an Episcopalian. Anyone who has been baptized (in any tradition) is invited to share in the bread and wine. Unbaptized persons are welcome to come forward for a special blessing and are encouraged to speak to the priest about the possibility of baptism.
I am considering joining an Episcopal Church.
A person who belongs to the Episcopal Church is called an “Episcopalian.” The word “Episcopal” means a church governed by bishops. We call our local churches “parishes,” which are governed by an elected “vestry” of laypeople who help lead the church and make important day-to-day decisions. An ordained minister of an Episcopal congregation is usually called a “priest.” In the Episcopal Church, priests are allowed to marry and women may also serve as priests.
If you are of age to speak for yourself and have never been baptized, a priest in an Episcopal church would gratefully prepare you for baptism in the church. Baptisms are typically held several times per year during the Sunday services. Once baptized, you will be a fully-initiated member of the Body of Christ and an Episcopalian with a membership in the local congregation.
Holy Baptism is the initiation rite of the Church. It conveys God’s grace so that the initiate may grow in Christian strength and brings the initiate into the family of Christ, where he or she can be nurtured in the process of that Christian growth.
Yes. We believe that the grace conferred by the Sacrament of Baptism is not and should not be reserved only for adults. Every human being is in relationship with God. We honor that relationship from the moment of birth and infancy is not a barrier to full initiation into the Body of Christ.
No. “We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins,” says the Creed. Once you have been baptized in any Christian church with water in the name of the Trinity, you have been received into the family of Christ (not into a particular denomination). To make a public, adult affirmation of faith, you should to be confirmed, if appropriate. You also always have the option of publicly reaffirming your baptismal vows, even after confirmation, if you so choose.
Confirmation is the opportunity for those who are baptized as infants, children, or adults to make a public confession and commitment of Christian faith. In the sacrament of confirmation, we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit for service to Christ and his church. In Confirmation, a bishop lays hands on the confirmed in a public ceremony as a symbol of support for their spiritual journey. The Episcopal Church is unique in Christianity in requiring that Confirmation be performed by a bishop. If you are coming from a church in the Apostolic Succession (e.g., Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or some others), and have already been confirmed, you would be “received” by the bishop of our diocese in a ceremony that normally takes place during the bishop’s visit to our church.
We warmly encourage all youth (grades 6-12) who are either interested in being confirmed, or who feel drawn to explore what it means to be drawn more deeply into the life of Christ’s Church, to join a confirmation class to decide for themselves if they are ready to make the public confession and commitment of the Christian faith. Confirmation classes are offered for youth at St. Matthew’s before every Bishop’s Visit.
Confirmation requires a period of study leading up to the sacrament. These classes are usually held once a week in the months leading up to the confirmation. The classes are conducted by members of the clergy and cover topics ranging from the gospels to church history and church traditions. These classes will equip you to make a mature decision regarding Confirmation and a mature confession of faith. If you are interested in being confirmed, the first step would be to contact the clergy for more information. If you are baptized and coming from a different tradition, confirmation would probably be appropriate. At St. Matthew’s we hold a “Discovery Class” for people interested in baptism, reception, or confirmation prior to the bishop’s visitation. You will want to speak to our rector if you are interested in joining the church. Note that confirmation or reception is not necessary before you can receive communion or participate in the life of the church.
Confirmation is an Episcopal service – that is, it requires that a bishop be present. At St. Matthew’s, one of our active Bishops in the Diocese of Texas visits St. Matthew’s. Typically, we have two Bishop Visits each year.