What is Membership?

Membership in the Christian faith comes through baptism with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as ordained by Christ in what is known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). In the Episcopal Church, we recognize such baptisms from any Christian denomination as full and complete. Therefore, a second baptism is in no way necessary at Trinity.

Membership in the Episcopal Church comes through Baptism and Confirmation. Baptism is offered five times per year. Confirmation, which coincides with a visitation from our Bishop, occurs once per year. An Inquirer's Class for those who wish to learn more about the church and membership is offered each year.  Persons interested in membership are encouraged to attend this class and may also contact the clergy to discuss membership and other questions on a more personal basis.

Our Mission

Trinity Episcopal Church is an open and diverse Christian community dedicated to serving God and all creation.  We foster spiritual growth through worship, prayer, education, service, stewardship and celebration.  As an historic and landmark parish in a thriving and changing community, we seek, welcome and nurture all who wish to share our journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Are Episcopalians Christians?

Yes, Episcopalians are Christians first and above all else. We come from a long line of Christians, dating back to the first followers of Jesus, called the apostles, and we strive to continue in the way of the apostles’ teaching and fellowship by following Christ in our day.

2.  What does “Episcopal” mean? Why do you call yourselves “Episcopalians”?

“Episcopal” means “oversight” and refers to the oversight of Bishops in our church structure. We call ourselves Episcopalians because we have kept the role of Bishop, as well as Priest and Deacon, from our Catholic roots.

3.  So, you are Catholic, too?

Yes and no.  The Episcopal Church U. S. A. is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a communion of churches who identify and find their roots in the Christian presence in England, dating back to the 500’s. In these early years, Christianity was shaped by both Celtic and Roman Catholic influences, with the latter prevailing. With the Protestant Reformation movement of the 1500’s, the Church of England was formed making the king (Henry VIII) the governing head of the church instead of the Pope. Nevertheless, sacramental worship continued in much the same way as before, and the Church of England retained the ordination of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. When The Episcopal Church was formed shortly after the American Revolution, this governance resided in the Bishops.

In short, worship on a Sunday morning will have many similarities with the Roman Catholic Church, but Episcopalians do not have a Pope.

4.  So, you must be a Protestant Church?

Well, again, yes and no. England protested against much of the governance of Rome, but retained a Catholic identity in many ways. We hold that we receive the inward and spiritual grace of Christ through the sacraments, particularly baptism and the Holy Eucharist. These sacraments strengthen us to do the work that God has given us to do.

And yet, we have characteristics of the Protestant Churches in that we believe that each member of the body of Christ has a voice in the church. When we are discerning Christ’s call to us, we listen to what the spirit might be saying through each member. Everyone has a role to play.

5.  So, what are you?

We are often called The Middle Way, or Via Media. We bear this name because of the manner in which we listen for the call of Christ to us. We believe that each strand of the Christian faith has something to offer the whole. Often people from different denominations find common ground in our church.

6.  Do you believe in the Bible?

We believe first and foremost in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments point to the fulfillment of God’s salvation for all people in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible. We seek to understand the truth of God’s word in scripture through careful study, prayer, and conversation by the help of the Holy Spirit.

7.  Do you take the Bible literally?

No, not in the sense that “literally” has come to be used in our day, in a way that actually limits the witness of scripture. We believe that scripture contains great truths about God’s love for God’s people which still speaks in every generation and speaks today. Many of these deeper truths are missed when the Bible is read literally.

8.  Will the Episcopal Church take anybody?

Jesus will take anybody who wants to follow Him and so will we.

9.  Does that mean “anything goes”?

No, it doesn’t. We believe that when we experience the full and complete love of God in Christ, our hearts turn toward that love and are shaped by that love, such that we want to reach out in love to others. In the beautiful words of St. Paul to the church in Corinth, this Christ-like love is patient and kind. It seeks to build up and make life better for those around it. So, as we begin to walk in that love, destructive ways lose their appeal.

As a church body, we seek to help and encourage one another to love our neighbor as ourselves. And when we fail, we ask forgiveness and begin again.