Joining St. John's Episcopal Church
“The Episcopal Church welcomes you” is our denominational slogan, and indeed, we do! People come to the Episcopal Church from a variety of backgrounds — different denominations of Christianity, non-Christian religions, and no religious background at all.
People born and raised in the Episcopal Church — “cradle Episcopalians,” are only a part of our total membership, as people join us from other traditions. Many people find the Episcopal Church to be a welcome refuge since our approach is open and welcoming of questions and doubts.
If you are comfortable with an informal affiliation you are welcome to join us for worship anytime. If you want to take the next step in becoming official members of the parish community the path to membership is different for people in different situations.
The role of Baptism in becoming a member
Baptism is the official entry into the church, the Body of Christ. Being baptized in any Episcopal Church makes you an Episcopalian. Being baptized at St. John’s Episcopal Church makes you an Episcopalian and a member of St. John’s.
What if I was baptized in a different denomination?
One does not need to be baptized twice. Your baptism is recognized in the Episcopal Church as long as the baptism was recorded in the rolls of any Christian denomination (Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, etc.). You could then enter the Episcopal Church through confirmation. Confirmation is the service in which persons ‘express a mature commitment to Christ.’ We invite to speak to any clergy. We have periodic classes to learn more about the Episcopal Church and what makes us different from other branches of Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
What if I was baptized in the Episcopal Church, but not at St. John’s?
You would transfer your membership from one Episcopal Church to another Episcopal Church through a formal Letter of Transfer. Contact our rector or the church office (call 831-708-2278) with questions or to request the form that you can fill out and send to your previous church. Or you can download one here.
Reaffirmation
Once you’ve been baptized and confirmed, you may choose to publicly reaffirm your commitment to God. Reaffirmation may take place at any point in your journey. Reaffirmation happens in the presence of a bishop and affirms your commitment to live according to your baptismal promises.
“The Episcopal Church welcomes you” is our denominational slogan, and indeed, we do! People come to the Episcopal Church from a variety of backgrounds — different denominations of Christianity, non-Christian religions, and no religious background at all.
People born and raised in the Episcopal Church — “cradle Episcopalians,” are only a part of our total membership, as people join us from other traditions. Many people find the Episcopal Church to be a welcome refuge since our approach is open and welcoming of questions and doubts.
If you are comfortable with an informal affiliation you are welcome to join us for worship anytime. If you want to take the next step in becoming official members of the parish community the path to membership is different for people in different situations.
The role of Baptism in becoming a member
Baptism is the official entry into the church, the Body of Christ. Being baptized in any Episcopal Church makes you an Episcopalian. Being baptized at St. John’s Episcopal Church makes you an Episcopalian and a member of St. John’s.
What if I was baptized in a different denomination?
One does not need to be baptized twice. Your baptism is recognized in the Episcopal Church as long as the baptism was recorded in the rolls of any Christian denomination (Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, etc.). You could then enter the Episcopal Church through confirmation. Confirmation is the service in which persons ‘express a mature commitment to Christ.’ We invite to speak to any clergy. We have periodic classes to learn more about the Episcopal Church and what makes us different from other branches of Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
What if I was baptized in the Episcopal Church, but not at St. John’s?
You would transfer your membership from one Episcopal Church to another Episcopal Church through a formal Letter of Transfer. Contact our rector or the church office (call 831-708-2278) with questions or to request the form that you can fill out and send to your previous church. Or you can download one here.
Reaffirmation
Once you’ve been baptized and confirmed, you may choose to publicly reaffirm your commitment to God. Reaffirmation may take place at any point in your journey. Reaffirmation happens in the presence of a bishop and affirms your commitment to live according to your baptismal promises.