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Through our words and actions, we seek internalize and embody the message of Christ by sharing it with one another and with our communities.
We are committed to following the teachings of Jesus Christ in a way that is inclusive, compassionate and transformative. We believe that all people are made in the image of God and that diversity is a gift from the Creator. We work hard to foster a sense of belonging. We seek to engage with the world around us, working for justice and equity for all people.
As Episcopalians, we embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection brought salvation to the world.
Mission
The mission of St. John’s Episcopal Church is: “We Love Because God Loves Us.”
The mission and outreach values of the Episcopal Diocese of New York encompass the call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Love
Episcopalians believe in a loving God and strive to love their neighbors as themselves.
As stated in Matthew 22:37–39, Jesus taught, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Embracing Cultural Safety
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to fully participate in church life.
We belong together.
We belong together celebrating the rich and beautiful diversity of God’s family. Each person is a unique and cherished creation of God.
Equity
Together, we actively work to address power imbalances, support those in need, and ensure that everyone feels safe to express their true selves within our church community.
Scripture
Episcopalians hold that Holy Scripture is central to Christian faith and thought. We believe Scripture should be interpreted through the lens of reason and tradition, and understood within its historical context.
Social Justice
St. John’s is committed to social issues, advocating for anti-discrimination laws and rejecting the notion that AIDS is a punishment from God.
We support the LGBTQQIAAA+ community and partner with the Rural and Migrant Ministry.
Additionally, we raise funds to assist victims fleeing domestic violence and human trafficking.
CLICK HERE to further explore Social Justice Positions
The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion and has its roots in the early days of Christianity.
“Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation.”
-from “The 39 Articles of Religion”, a foundational document of Anglican theology from 1571
The Scriptures, which include the Old and New Testaments along with some apocryphal texts, were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible holds a central place in Episcopal worship; during Sunday morning services, the congregation typically hears at least three readings from Scripture.
Much of the liturgy in The Book of Common Prayer is explicitly based on Biblical texts. As stated in the Catechism, “We understand the meaning of the Bible by the help of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in the true interpretation of the Scriptures” (p. 853-4).
The Book of Common Prayer is a valuable resource filled with devotional and educational materials for both individuals and congregations, serving as a key symbol of our unity. As noted by Armentrout and Slocum in their Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, “Anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the Prayer Book tradition since the publication of the first English Prayer Book in 1549.”
We, a diverse community, unite in Christ through our worship and shared prayers. The prayer book, most recently updated in 1979, includes our liturgies, prayers, theological documents, and much more.
Do you want a copy of the Book of Common Prayer? CLICK HERE
Seven sacraments are recognized in The Book of Common Prayer:
Holy Baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament that fully initiates individuals into Christ’s Body, the Church, through water and the Holy Spirit. The bond established by God in Baptism is unbreakable. Each candidate for Baptism must be sponsored by one or more baptized individuals.
Holy Eucharist
The term “Eucharist” comes from Greek, meaning “thanksgiving.” Holy Eucharist is the sacrament through which we express our profound gratitude for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the Eucharist, we receive Communion of Christ’s body and blood in the form of bread and wine, affirming Christ’s presence in these sacred elements through the mystery of God. The grace received in Holy Eucharist is threefold: it looks back in blessed memory to Jesus’ sacrificial love on the cross, provides spiritual nourishment for our current faith journey, and offers a future glimpse of God’s heavenly banquet, where all of creation will be made whole.
Confirmation
As part of their Christian growth, those baptized as children are expected to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism when they are ready and adequately prepared.
Holy Matrimony
Christian marriage is a sacred and public lifelong covenant between a man and a woman in God’s presence. In the Episcopal Church, at least one party must be a baptized Christian.
Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession)
God forgives our sins and relieves us of their burden whenever we sincerely seek forgiveness and commit to changing our lives. Often, great comfort comes from receiving God’s absolution through another faithful member of the Body of Christ. The Reconciliation of a Penitent is the rite where those who repent can confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest, receiving assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
Unction of the Sick
Unction is the sacrament of healing in which an individual who is ill is anointed with holy oil. If someone is sick or hospitalized, it is important to inform the clergy of the desire to receive this sacrament.
Ordination
In the Episcopal Church, there are three orders of ordained ministry: Bishops, Presbyters (Priests), and Deacons. Bishops continue the apostolic mission of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church. Presbyters share in the governance, missionary work, and pastoral care of the Church, preaching the Word of God and administering the holy Sacraments. Deacons assist Bishops and Priests in these responsibilities, focusing particularly on ministering to the poor, sick, suffering, and vulnerable.
Liturgy: The Church’s Public Worship
CLICK HERE for Liturgical Calendar 2024-2025
Liturgy refers to the public worship of God by the Church, derived from Greek words meaning “people” and “work.” It represents the collective effort of the Christian community and embodies the life of Christ active in the Church through the Holy Spirit.
In ancient Greece, the term liturgy described work performed for the public at private expense, not necessarily of a religious nature. In the Septuagint, it is associated with divine worship, while in the New Testament, it is linked to acts of service or ministry (Philippians 2:30).
The unity of the Church’s members in Christ is most fully expressed through liturgy, which articulates the Church’s identity and mission, including its call to invite others and serve the world’s needs. Regardless of whether liturgy is performed by many or few, it represents the collective worship of the entire Church. Individual acts of devotion, like saying the Rosary, do not constitute liturgy.
Liturgy is sacramental, using visible and tangible elements to convey the inward and spiritual realities of God’s presence in our lives. It reflects the belief in incarnational theology, which holds that finite things can reveal divine grace and glory. Through liturgy, the Church manifests God’s love and the unity shared among believers, a unity that mirrors the bond between the Father and the Son.
As a public and communal event, liturgy engages our lives, faith, thoughts, feelings, hopes, and especially our need for salvation in Christ. It consists of actions and words, symbols and rituals, scripture readings, liturgical texts, gestures, and vestments, along with prayers that may be spoken or sung. Liturgy is shaped by the seasons, feasts, and fasts of the Church calendar and the lectionaries for Holy Eucharist and Daily Office (BCP, pp. 15-33, 888-1001). It aims to involve all members and ministries of the Church, drawing everyone together into one unified expression of divine worship.
The term “liturgy” can also refer to the specific rites or texts that structure the Church’s worship, particularly the Eucharist, known as the Divine Liturgy (BCP, p. 859). In Eastern Christianity, “liturgy” more narrowly designates the Eucharist, while in the West, it encompasses all public rites and offices of the Church.
Baptismal Covenant
“Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 292).
The baptismal covenant serves as a mini-catechism used during baptisms, Easter, and other significant occasions. It begins with a question-and-answer format based on the Apostles’ Creed and includes five additional questions about how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith.
The Catechism
Presented in a question-and-answer format, the catechism at the back of the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862) teaches the foundational truths of the Christian faith.
The Creeds
“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).
Through the two key statements of faith—the Apostles’ Creed, used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed, recited during communion—we join Christians across the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.
Membership is not mandatory. Everyone is welcome to participate in the full service, including the Eucharist. We invite you to join us in any (or all) of our activities, events and/or services.
If you would like to explore membership, this is the membership process at St. John’s Episcopal Church:
Becoming a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church is a straightforward process that varies based on individual circumstances. Below is an outline of the steps to join the church and the different levels of membership as defined by the canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of New York.
For Those Needing Baptism
If you have never been baptized, the first step is to schedule a baptism with the Priest in Charge.
For Those Already Baptized
If you have been baptized in another Episcopal Church, you can become a member by requesting a transfer of your membership from your previous church to St. John’s.
Mother Suzanne can assist you with this process if needed.
If you have not been a member of another Episcopal Church, simply fill out a short form to have the date and place of your baptism recorded in the Church Register. It’s that easy!
The Episcopal Church recognizes all baptisms performed with water in the Name of the Trinity across Christian denominations, so there’s no need for re-baptism.
Confirmation
Confirmation is he sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860).
You can be confirmed into St. John’s when the Bishop comes to visit.
Membership Status
Once you become a member, you remain one until death or transfer to another church. If you stop attending, your status can be changed to inactive, but you will still retain your membership. Life happens, but you will always have a home here.
Understanding the language of faith is essential for deepening our spiritual journey. To support our community, we are creating a glossary of terms that clarifies key concepts and phrases often used in Episcopal worship and teachings. This resource aims to empower everyone, whether new to the faith or experienced, to engage more fully in our shared life and worship.
CLICK Here for a Glossary of Terms
