WHO IS GOD?

God is the creator of heaven and earth, all that is seen and unseen, and the very source of reality itself. God is triune, comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in one divine nature. God is Love itself, created humanity through Love, and is revealed in the love shown to us by Jesus, the Incarnate second person of the Trinity.

WHO IS JESUS?

Jesus is the Incarnate second person of the Trinity, God the Son, the Logos. Jesus is the only perfect image of God the Father and reveals the very nature of God to humanity. Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, submitted himself to death, destroyed death by his physical resurrection, and ascended back to the Father. 

WHO ARE WE?

Humanity is part of God’s creation and created in the very image of God. We are granted reason, free will, and the ability to Love. The incarnation of Jesus reveals the fullness of God’s desire for humanity, in perfect relationship with God, neighbor, and creation. The misuse of our reason and will obscures the image of God within us. We believe that the glory of God is revealed through the beautiful diversity within humanity, inclusive of difference of race, ability, gender, and sexual orientation.

WHAT IS SCRIPTURE?

Scripture, comprised of the Old and New Testaments and Apocrypha, is the record of faith throughout time and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is called the Word of God because it reveals the plan of salvation throughout human history and is animated by divine grace even when select portions of scripture contain human error or instruction relevant only to an older era, such as dietary restrictions or gender roles.

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

The church is the body of Christ in the world comprised of all baptized members. The Episcopal Church and the Anglican communion understand themselves to be part of one, holy, catholic and apostolic church, animated by the Holy Spirit,  and continue in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, within apostolic succession, are nourished by the sacraments, and profess the creeds of the church. The Episcopal Church is comprised of four orders: the baptized laity, deacons, priests, and bishops. 

WHAT ARE THE CREEDS?

The creeds are historic and universal statements of our basic beliefs about God. We use the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed in worship, and believe that they are the heritage of the faith of the church throughout time. They are both the framework for individual belief and a collective profession, bigger than any one individual. 

WHAT ARE THE SACRAMENTS?

The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. The word sacrament originally meant ‘pledge’; we believe that they are Christ’s pledge of grace to us, His people. The Episcopal Church practices 7 sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Ordination, Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), and Unction of the Sick.

WHAT IS SIN?

Sin is seeking our own will instead of the will of God, distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with creation. Sin is the source of death because is draws us away from the larger life of God who is the source of all Life. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus free us from sin by restoring us to the divine life of grace and to right relationship.

WHAT IS SALVATION?

Salvation is the restoration of right relationship and entrance into a new existence united with all the people of God, with creation, and with the Triune God. Salvation is a pledge to all creation through the resurrection of Jesus. The conscious decision to follow Jesus not only grants us experience of that larger salvation now, but commissions us as agents of reconciliation to spread this salvation throughout the world.