Joining the Episcopal church

Adam Warlock

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The priest could definitely point you in the right direction! Every parish will be slightly different, but they probably have a membership coordinator of some sort. If so, that person can tell you about what you need to do. Usually, you attend some classes for a few weeks. At some point, the bishop will visit the parish (usually around the end of the classes). When that happens, people can join the church through baptism and/or confirmation. It's a really cool process.
 
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Rurik

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I would start off by asking the priest or one of the welcome's. On the front steps after a service is not the place, ask them if you can make an appointment to see them and let them know why. This way they can prepare and have some stuff ready, it may also not be their role in which case they will put you in contact with the person who's role it is.
 
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PaladinValer

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I went to an Episcopal church today that I went to when I was really little and I liked it a lot. How do I go about joining? Do I ask the priest, do I ask a clergy member? What do I do?

That depends.

What church or denomination are you currently? Have you ever received Holy Baptism before? Where you ever confirmed or chismated?

Talk with the priest and he or she will ask you these same questions.
 
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SeekerOfChrist94

Grandma ♡ June 26, 1942 - January 10, 2017 5:32 pm
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Thank you for your insight, everyone.


That depends.

What church or denomination are you currently? Have you ever received Holy Baptism before? Where you ever confirmed or chismated?

Talk with the priest and he or she will ask you these same questions.

I'm currently not of a denomination, but I had a Trinitarian baptism when I was younger. My childhood church didn't confirm anyone, they just accepted baptism, that's all.
 
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PaladinValer

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Can you be accepted into an Anglican church if already baptised?

Absolutely, provided it is a valid baptism. A valid baptism is one that is:

  1. Done in the Trinitarian formula
  2. In the Nicene dogma of the Holy Trinity
I'm currently not of a denomination, but I had a Trinitarian baptism when I was younger. My childhood church didn't confirm anyone, they just accepted baptism, that's all.

Then your baptism is likely valid; under what church's or denomination's auspice's were you baptized?

The next step is to talk with the rector (priest-in-charge of the parish; if you are attending a mission, you'll speak to a vicar) or another clergy associated with that particular church. Announce your intention and ask if there are any confirmation classes that may be ongoing or be in the future, or if you can meet with someone to become educated in Episcopal theology. You will need to provide proof of your baptism, which means you need to find out where you were baptized; they should have a copy of the record of your baptism there. You might have a copy or even the original yourself or your parents may. Either way, once you know where it is, tell the rector and she or he will send a letter of request to the place that has the record to obtain it. Otherwise, if you have it yourself, surrender it to the rector.

Once the church has the record of your baptism, you can become a specific member of the parish. The next step is confirmation, which will occur the next time the bishop of the diocese makes his or her visitation. At that time, you will then be formally entered into The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion at large.
 
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SeekerOfChrist94

Grandma ♡ June 26, 1942 - January 10, 2017 5:32 pm
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Absolutely, provided it is a valid baptism. A valid baptism is one that is:

  1. Done in the Trinitarian formula
  2. In the Nicene dogma of the Holy Trinity

Then your baptism is likely valid; under what church's or denomination's auspice's were you baptized?

The next step is to talk with the rector (priest-in-charge of the parish; if you are attending a mission, you'll speak to a vicar) or another clergy associated with that particular church. Announce your intention and ask if there are any confirmation classes that may be ongoing or be in the future, or if you can meet with someone to become educated in Episcopal theology. You will need to provide proof of your baptism, which means you need to find out where you were baptized; they should have a copy of the record of your baptism there. You might have a copy or even the original yourself or your parents may. Either way, once you know where it is, tell the rector and she or he will send a letter of request to the place that has the record to obtain it. Otherwise, if you have it yourself, surrender it to the rector.

Once the church has the record of your baptism, you can become a specific member of the parish. The next step is confirmation, which will occur the next time the bishop of the diocese makes his or her visitation. At that time, you will then be formally entered into The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion at large.

I was baptized in a non-denominational church. Thank you very much for your information, this really helps. :)
 
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ebia

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Absolutely, provided it is a valid baptism. A valid baptism is one that is:


[*]Done in the Trinitarian formula
[*]In the Nicene dogma of the Holy Trinity


Then your baptism is likely valid; under what church's or denomination's auspice's were you baptized?

The next step is to talk with the rector (priest-in-charge of the parish; if you are attending a mission, you'll speak to a vicar) or another clergy associated with that particular church. Announce your intention and ask if there are any confirmation classes that may be ongoing or be in the future, or if you can meet with someone to become educated in Episcopal theology. You will need to provide proof of your baptism, which means you need to find out where you were baptized; they should have a copy of the record of your baptism there. You might have a copy or even the original yourself or your parents may. Either way, once you know where it is, tell the rector and she or he will send a letter of request to the place that has the record to obtain it. Otherwise, if you have it yourself, surrender it to the rector.

Once the church has the record of your baptism, you can become a specific member of the parish. The next step is confirmation, which will occur the next time the bishop of the diocese makes his or her visitation. At that time, you will then be formally entered into The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion at large.
Parishes in the US bother to check baptisms? I've never known one in England or Australia do that.
 
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ebia

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In order to prevent "rebaptism", yes.
Eh? Do you go around baptising everyone who isn't carrying a baptismal certificate?
It is also the sign of joining the parish.
Not in the CofE or Anglican Church of Australia. In order to join the electoral role one has to sign to say one is baptised and confirmed, but evidence is not requested.
 
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PaladinValer

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Eh? Do you go around baptising everyone who isn't carrying a baptismal certificate?

No, but if someone wants to join the local or wider church, that requires baptism. Anyone and everyone is welcome to worship and help us in most of our ministries, but in order to receive the sacraments, vote, serve on the vestry, be an acolyte, etc, a person must be baptized first.

Not in the CofE or Anglican Church of Australia. In order to join the electoral role one has to sign to say one is baptised and confirmed, but evidence is not requested.

I suppose that's one way in which we are a little different.
 
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rhartsc

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Parishes in the US bother to check baptisms? I've never known one in England or Australia do that.

In my recent experience now that I am about to be received by the bishop the priest asked my wife and I for general info:date of birth, year of baptism and confirmation and the name of the Church where we received these sacraments/rites. he did not ask to see the certificates which we do have if they need to see them.
 
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