how does one officially convert to Episcopalianism?

[FireDragon76]

I have been attending Episcopal churches off and on for years, sitting on a fence. And finally I think I have decided it's time to get serious about actually joining a religious group. What are the steps to actually convert to Episcopalianism? I am a baptized and confirmed Methodist, but I no longer really believe in the exclusives of the Methodist tradition. I consider myself more in line with broad-church Episcopalianism, and neither particularly liberal or conservative.

 

[graceandpeace]

I'm not a member yet, so I don't know if this is entirely correct, but since you already have a valid baptism, I think you would just need to be confirmed in TEC. I know where I attend there are newcomer classes coming up in the fall, which I imagine will lead to the possibility of baptism and/or confirmation.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can provide you with more in depth info.

 

[seeking.IAM]

First things first, talk to your priest about your intent. Likely your parish will offer something equivalent to adult confirmation classes that orient you to the history and tradition of The Episcopal Church. When I converted from Methodism, I took part in such a series that probably spanned six weeks -- maybe more, done on Sunday before worship. You will likely need to present your Baptismal certificate as a Methodist, which will be deemed valid as a Trinitarian Baptism. The confirmation ceremony should occur at the Bishop's visit to your parish. At my church that happens only once a year, unlike the UMC where the Bishop is seldom if ever seen at a parish and not involved in receipt of new members. In TEC, the Bishop is involved from essentially approving your confirmation to being present and officiating the process.

 

[PaladinValer]

Step 1: Tell the priest-in-charge that you would like your baptismal certification moved to your new parish.
Step 2: At the same time, inform the same priest that you would like to be confirmed (since we don't accept Methodist confirmations, since they sadly lack Apostolic Succession [although this may change hopefully soon]).
Step 3: When the bishop comes around, the bishop will confirm and you'll have officially joined.

Ask the bishop to anoint you with the Sacred Chrism for a more traditional Anglican Confirmation. Oh, and you may get slapped.

 

[RainsInApril]

...since we don't accept Methodist confirmations, since they sadly lack Apostolic Succession [although this may change hopefully soon]).

This is the first I've heard about the UMC and succession. Is this something that's "in the works" somewhere, or just hopeful speculation at this point?

 

[Arcangl86]

This is the first I've heard about the UMC and succession. Is this something that's "in the works" somewhere, or just hopeful speculation at this point?

TEC and the UMC have been working towards full communion for a few years. Part of that would be restoration of AS to UMC bishops. But I think some UMC are making the argument that they never lost AS to begin with, and that is causing some issues.

 

[Tigger45]

Oh, and you may get slapped.

 

[RainsInApril]

TEC and the UMC have been working towards full communion for a few years. Part of that would be restoration of AS to UMC bishops. But I think some UMC are making the argument that they never lost AS to begin with, and that is causing some issues.

Ah, ok. That's interesting. Thanks!

 

[Esdra]

Oh, and you may get slapped

That's a story which is usually told kids before confirmation.

It means that the Bishop might softly strike your cheek with his hand.
That's an old tradition that should symbolise strengtheníng.
It hasn't been practiced in the Roman Catholic churche since the 70tíes .

 

[LivingWordUnity]

I'm not thinking of converting. I just have a question.
Is there a difference between someone converting to Episcopalian and them converting to Anglican?

 

[ebia]

TEC and the UMC have been working towards full communion for a few years. Part of that would be restoration of AS to UMC bishops. But I think some UMC are making the argument that they never lost AS to begin with, and that is causing some issues.

Not surprisingly - it's about as palatable to them, I would think, as us being told that the RCC can fix our invalid orders.

 

[Esdra]

Yes and no.
The episcopal church is the anglican church of the usa. (Like the episcopal church of scotland is the anglican church of Scotland). And both are part of the worldwide anglican communion.
But because some people thought that it has gotten extremely liberal there were 2 schisms.
Acna (anglican church of North America) and the continuing anglican churches.

So you can say that it's a difference in the usa.

I'm not thinking of converting. I just have a question.
Is there a difference between someone converting to Episcopalian and them converting to Anglican?

 

[ebia]

I'm not thinking of converting. I just have a question. Is there a difference between someone converting to Episcopalian and them converting to Anglican?

Conversion isn't really the right word. Since we don't regard ourselves as being the limit of the church it's more a question of membership than conversion, especially if one is already confirmed.

 

[LivingWordUnity]

Conversion isn't really the right word. Since we don't regard ourselves as being the limit of the church it's more a question of membership than conversion, especially if one is already confirmed.

Do Episcopals in America consider themselves to be totally independent of the Anglican leaders in England?

 

[ebia]

Do Episcopals in America consider themselves to be totally independent of the Anglican leaders in England?

The Anglican communion is a communion of independent national churches. England has no special place in that except its historical position as the point from which they came.

The Archbishop of Canterbury acts as a symbol of unity, but there isn't a top-down hierarchy roman style.

 

[FireDragon76]

Getting hold of my baptismal certificate might be hard... if I even have one. I'm very sure I am baptized though, and I remember my confirmation in the Methodist church. I really don't want to repeat confirmation, though.

I don't really believe in "Apostolic Succession" in the RCC/EO sense (and while I'm sympathetic to ritualism and some Anglo-Catholic practices, I don't see myself as anything but broad church). I just like Episcopalian style worship, theology, and the overall tone of the church. And I don't exactly see myself as rejecting Methodist beliefs (I'm probably more Wesleyan than Calvinist anyways), as much as I just prefer the Episcopal church.

I know the theologian Stanley Hauerwas is still a Methodist, but he attends an Episcopal church.

 

[seeking.IAM]

...I'm very sure I am baptized though, and I remember my confirmation in the Methodist church. I really don't want to repeat confirmation, though....

My understanding is that only RCs (and maybe EOs?) are "received" into The Episcopal Church without having to go through confirmation. I believe the rest of us are pretty much obligated...although what confirmation looks like must vary from church to church. Ours did not follow any prescribed structure that I could discern. It was quite informal.

 

[Targaryen]

Getting hold of my baptismal certificate might be hard... if I even have one. I'm very sure I am baptized though, and I remember my confirmation in the Methodist church. I really don't want to repeat confirmation, though.

I don't really believe in "Apostolic Succession" in the RCC/EO sense (and while I'm sympathetic to ritualism and some Anglo-Catholic practices, I don't see myself as anything but broad church). I just like Episcopalian style worship, theology, and the overall tone of the church. And I don't exactly see myself as rejecting Methodist beliefs (I'm probably more Wesleyan than Calvinist anyways), as much as I just prefer the Episcopal church.

I know the theologian Stanley Hauerwas is still a Methodist, but he attends an Episcopal church.

Well Wesley did stay C of E thought his lifetime even, in fact was rather High Church for the time period.