The Episcopal Church is a descendant of the Church of England, and part of the Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church separated from the Church of England at the time of the American Revolution because the head of the Church of England was the king, with whom the Americans were at war. As the Book of Common Prayer used by the Church of England included prayers for England, the Episcopal Church published its own, based on both the English and Scottish books.
The Episcopal Church teaches that the Bible is the Word of God, but that God inspired people to write the Scriptures. Episcopalians also believe that the biases, prejudices, and limitations of the authors are present in the Bible that we have today. We understand the meaning of the Bible through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in determining the correct interpretation. The Scriptures are understood to be the standard by which a Christian lives. At the same time, the Bible is a historical document that requires examination and interpretation, and Church traditions have developed through many centuries of contoversies over interpretation.
Episcopalians use The Lectionary during worship, but the lectionary consists of selections of Scripture readings for Sunday worship, but lectionaries are also available for private and corporate worship.
While holding the Bible in high regard, Episcopalians do not describe them as having ultimate authority in all matters. Episcopalians will turn to science rather than Genesis for an explanation of the creation of the world. They also do not look to the Scriptures for the final judgment on every moral or theological issue. Episcopalians consider three sources of authority: Scripture, tradition, and reason. Tradition includes theology, liturgy, canon law, and history.
The Episcopal Church has inherited the inclination of the Church of England to find middle ground between the extremes of Catholicism and Protestantism. Episcopalians are considered Protestants by virtue of being neither Catholic or Orthodox.
Episcopal spirituality is rooted in daily prayers, which are published in the Book of Common Prayer Communal prayer tends to be more ritualistic than in most Protestant churches. While the importance of personal prayer is recognized, there is a concern that prayer not become individualistic.
Episcopalians view the sacraments as outward signs of inward grace. The two chief sacraments are baptism and the eucharist, others including confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation, and unction, each of which help to make Christians aware of God's work in their lives. A Christian becomes an adopted child of God through baptism, which also conveys full membership in the Church. Weekly participation in the Holy Eucharist is also emphasized, through which a Christian's faith is renewed. A variety of names are used in the Episcopal Church for this liturgy, including the Holy Eucharist, the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.
The structure of the Church includes elements of both Catholicism and Protestantism. Like the Catholic Church, its organizational structure includes a hierarchy of bishops, priests, and deacons, who are ordained by bishops who are in the line of succession from the apostles, also known as the apostolic succession. Its Protestant characteristics include a lack of subjugation to the authority of an individual, such as a Pope, as well as the use of the common vernacular in worship services, and the freedom of conscience for Christians.
Church membership is defined by baptism. There are no applications, no screeing process, and no dues. Members who are baptized, attend church regularly, and are faithful in the work of the Church are considered communicant members in good standing.
Parishes, are governed locally. Members of each congregation elect its vestry, or governing body, and appoints representatives to the diocesan convention. However, a congregation is not an independent church, but part of a diocese that may include all or part of a state or country. The work of each diocese is coordinated by an annual convention, which adopts a budget and a program for the following year. The General Convention is the central governing body of the Church.
The Episcopal Church is one of forty-four national and regional churches throughout the world that make. up the Anglican Communion, which is a loosely affiliated fellowship held together by shared distinctive beliefs and practices, in large part as they were spread through the British Empire, and later by Americans.
Topics related to the Episcopal Church or Episcopalians are the focus of the sites listed in this category. Sites representing local congregations or parishes should be listed in the appropriate Local & Global category.
Recommended Resources
Association for Episcopal Deacons
AED is a membership-funded Episcopal organization that serves to foster increased participation of all baptized Christians in the Church's diaconal ministries, largely through supporting the diaconate. Membership information, its mission, history, and leadership contacts are published to the site, along with a schedule of events, downloadable resources, and an online shopping area. A private login for members is available.
https://www.episcopaldeacons.org/
Church Publishing Incorporated
CPI is an official publisher of worship materials and resources for the Episcopal Church, as well as a publisher and supplier to the larger ecumenical market, operating through such book publishing imprints as Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, and Seabury Books. Books may be browsed by product or category, and its reprint permission policies, author information, and returns policies are stated.
https://www.churchpublishing.org/
Episcopal dioceses, churches, ministries, and networks may be found through a keyword search. Alternatively, assets may be found by searching on the type of asset, or on an interactive map. For each listed Episcopal resource, their locations, telephone numbers, email addresses, web addresses, and other details are listed. Existing listings may be edited online, by approved users, and new resources may be added.
https://www.episcopalassetmap.org/
Episcopal Booksellers Association
The EBA is a fellowship of Episcopal booksellers who have come together to increase networking among Episcopal booksellers, create greater visibility, improve market positions, and ensure the viability of Episcopal book and gift sellers. Its history and member stores are published to the site, along with membership information, a supporting vendor application, book reviews, and a news blog.
http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org/
Specializing in serving the needs of liturgical Christian book readers, from other religious bodies as well, the family-owned bookstore offers books, lectionaries, liturgies, church supplies, calendars, cards, rosaries, prayer beads, Christian gifts, and other items. Its products are highlighted, along with details and prices, and made available for purchase online. Best sellers and new arrivals are featured.
https://www.episcopalbookstore.com/
The online news site serves as an independent voice for the Episcopal Church and Anglicans worldwide, largely reflecting a Progressive Christianity, and one of inclusion. The site publishes the writings of individual contributors, which do not necessarily reflect the official positions of a parish or diocese of the Church. Magazine articles and podcasts are featured, and its policies for letters to the editor and submissions are posted to the site.
https://www.episcopalcafe.com/
ECF is an independent organization, led by lay people, and serving the Church since 1949. The organization works with congregations, dioceses, and other Church agencies to raise funds for church ministries, ECF's own programs, products, and services. Its organizational structure, programs, a calendar of events, and ways in which someone might contribute to the Foundation are given.
http://www.episcopalfoundation.org/
The non-profit online shopping site offers a wide variety of products related to the Episcopal Church, including wholesale offers to Episcopal groups, churches, and bookstores, as well as fundraising programs. Its products include jewelry and apparel, books, audiobooks, DVDs, stickers, decals, and gifts, and may be purchased online. Shipping and policy information are provided, and wholesalers may register online.
http://episcopalmarketplace.org/
Episcopal Relief & Development
Established in 1940, the Episcopal mission was originally known as the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief. Working in the United States, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, the program works to alleviate hunger, promote economic opportunities, provide healthcare, and assist in disaster relief. Its goals, domestic and international programs, and contacts are posted to the site.
https://www.episcopalrelief.org/
Founded in 1873, the Reformed Episcopal Church is an Anglican Christian Church of Episcopalian heritage. Its site offers an overview of the denomination’s beliefs, its dioceses, foundations, foreign missions, and affiliation policies, as well as a parish locator, access to various forms, applications, and documents available for downloading. Contacts and links to associated institutions are included.
http://www.rechurch.org/
The Archives of the Episcopal Church
The Archives of the Church go back to the early 1800s, and is an agency of the General Convention, and a wholly owned entity of the corporate parent body, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. Access to its database requires a request in writing through its Research Request Form, although several historical documents may be viewed online.
https://www.episcopalarchives.org/
Maintained by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church, headquartered in New York City, the site offers an overview of the denomination, which is part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion, including a variety of topics related to the fellowship, highlights of its advocacy issues, evangelism, congregational life, mission leadership, and partnerships within the church, as well as a church locator.
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/
The vowed community of Episcopal women adhere to a Rule of Life that calls them to grow in their relationship with God. Its membership policies and process are defined, its national leadership is defined, and its bylaws are published to the site. A monthly prayer schedule is posted, and those wishing to support the community may make contributions through the site. Information on its study program is posted, including assignments.
http://theepiscopalcommunity.org/
