What is an Episcopalian?     

The Episcopal Church was born with our country, out of the Revolutionary War.  And though we declared our separation from the Church of England at that time, we retain a special relationship as part of the worldwide Anglican communion. Our Nation’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C. is an Episcopal church. Many great Americans have been Episcopalians.  These include 13 presidents, 6 chief justices, 27 other U.S. Supreme Court justices, and numerous congressmen and senators; 31 signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 29 members of the Constitutional Convention.  Founding Fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were all Episcopalians; as were Theodore Roosevelt, Humphrey Bogart, and John Steinbeck.

     As Episcopalians we try to live our lives by the teachings of Jesus Christ and spread his message of hope and love through our ministries. We are many different people who come together as one body in worship.  We come from all walks of life, and cut across all social strata: professionals, skilled workers, laborers, and the unemployed.  Working people, retired people, students.  Liberals and conservatives.  Men and women, young and old, families and singles. Racially diverse, and drawing richness from many cultures.  Some of us were raised Episcopalians; many were not, coming from every religious background, or from none. 

     The Episcopal Church is a church of reason. We believe that the Catechism in our Book of Common Prayer provides the outline of our faith, and we believe in the Church as the Body of which Christ is the head, and the Church as being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. We further believe that scripture, tradition, and reason serve as the three cornerstones of our faith. Our worship draws heavily on tradition, but also grows with the times.  We find spiritual beauty in the structure of our services. And we feel everyone should feel comfortable in an Episcopal church, where difference is the norm.  In every service, some people will kneel, others will not, some will cross themselves, others will not.  You can’t make a mistake; so you really should stop by and enjoy a service.  You will be welcome – you will feel welcome.  There are Episcopal churches in nearly every community in America. The church in Silverdale, is Saint Antony of Egypt.