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,” we call them — are becoming a smaller percentage 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.
You are welcome to join us for worship anytime. We would love you to become an official member of the church. The path to membership is different for people in different situations.
Membership Classes
The membership class curriculum is a two-stage process.
“Stage One” of the process is more factual and academic, knowledge-based. We explore questions like, “What is the Episcopal Church?” “How was the Episcopal Church founded?” “Why do Episcopalians do this or that in worship?” “What are the sacraments in the Episcopal Church?” “How do Episcopalians view the Bible?” It is designed to help you get to know who we are as a denomination and decide if we’re a good fit for you. If you decide that we are, you’ll continue to Stage Two
“Stage Two” is more personal and spiritual, experience-based. We explore questions like, “What does it mean to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ in my everyday life?” “How can I live out the vows I made at my baptism — or that I will make when I am confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church?” “What does a faithful Christian life look like?”
Stage One: “Episcopal Essentials”
This class is a 12-to-15-week class, generally offered once a year by our rector, Mother Tracy.
The class covers the history, worship, scripture, piety, and polity of the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion. It is intended for any and all persons who would like to gain a deeper knowledge about the Episcopal Church or refresh knowledge they previously learned.
Please contact Mother Tracy if you are interested in participating in this class or call 831-708-2278.
Stage Two: “I Will, With God’s Help”
This class is an 8-week extended reflection on our Baptismal Covenant, the vows we make when we are baptized in the Episcopal Church. It is a curriculum designed for those preparing for adult baptism or confirmation, or for preparing those who are being received into the Episcopal Church from another Christian denomination. (All people joining the Episcopal Church from other denominations or other religions are asked to affirm this covenant when they join our Church.) For this class, participants will be paired with a sponsor from the parish, who will attend the classes with them and also reflect with them on the Baptismal Covenant. This class is also generally offered once per year.
The culmination of this process is when the bishop makes her annual visit to St. John’s. At that time, adults wishing to join the church are baptized, confirmed, or received.
People born and raised in the Episcopal Church — “cradle Episcopalians,” we call them — are becoming a smaller percentage 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.
You are welcome to join us for worship anytime. We would love you to become an official member of the church. The path to membership is different for people in different situations.
- If you are not already a Christian, we invite you become one, and simultaneously, a member of St. John’s and the Episcopal Church, by being baptized. (Even if you already consider yourself a Christian, if you have never been baptized with water in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), baptism is the means by which you would join The Episcopal Church.)
- If you are already a baptized Christian but have not previously joined an Episcopal Church, we invite you to go through a series of 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.
- If you are already an Episcopalian, we invite you to transfer your membership to St. John’s from the most recent church where you were a member. Contact Chrys Sparks in the church office or call 831-708-2278 for a Letter of Transfer Request form that you can fill out and send to your previous church.
Membership Classes
The membership class curriculum is a two-stage process.
“Stage One” of the process is more factual and academic, knowledge-based. We explore questions like, “What is the Episcopal Church?” “How was the Episcopal Church founded?” “Why do Episcopalians do this or that in worship?” “What are the sacraments in the Episcopal Church?” “How do Episcopalians view the Bible?” It is designed to help you get to know who we are as a denomination and decide if we’re a good fit for you. If you decide that we are, you’ll continue to Stage Two
“Stage Two” is more personal and spiritual, experience-based. We explore questions like, “What does it mean to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ in my everyday life?” “How can I live out the vows I made at my baptism — or that I will make when I am confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church?” “What does a faithful Christian life look like?”
Stage One: “Episcopal Essentials”
This class is a 12-to-15-week class, generally offered once a year by our rector, Mother Tracy.
The class covers the history, worship, scripture, piety, and polity of the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion. It is intended for any and all persons who would like to gain a deeper knowledge about the Episcopal Church or refresh knowledge they previously learned.
Please contact Mother Tracy if you are interested in participating in this class or call 831-708-2278.
Stage Two: “I Will, With God’s Help”
This class is an 8-week extended reflection on our Baptismal Covenant, the vows we make when we are baptized in the Episcopal Church. It is a curriculum designed for those preparing for adult baptism or confirmation, or for preparing those who are being received into the Episcopal Church from another Christian denomination. (All people joining the Episcopal Church from other denominations or other religions are asked to affirm this covenant when they join our Church.) For this class, participants will be paired with a sponsor from the parish, who will attend the classes with them and also reflect with them on the Baptismal Covenant. This class is also generally offered once per year.
The culmination of this process is when the bishop makes her annual visit to St. John’s. At that time, adults wishing to join the church are baptized, confirmed, or received.