About the Episcopal Church

What is an Episcopalian?

Episcopalians are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion incorporates about 70 million people across the globe and includes about 64,000 individual congregations in 164 countries. These various congregations are one worldwide family held together by common worship practices, and a commitment to uphold the faith and tradition of the early Church and the first apostles.

The American Episcopal Church grew out of the Protestant Reformation that swept across Europe and England in the 16th century. When King Henry VIII replaced the Pope as head of the Church in England and Thomas Cranmer began a revision of the liturgies being used in England, the Anglican Church was formally born.

From its beginning, the Anglican approach to the Christian faith has been a spirituality of grace rather than guilt, and has sought a "middle way." Thomas Cranmer did not fully agree with all aspects of the Reformation or the power and authority of the Pope in Rome. This middle way continues to be a component of church life today. Church life and ministry are based upon the Holy Scriptures and their interpretation in the light of Christian tradition and reason. The Episcopal Church is sometimes described as the Church that encourages its members to use their minds, as well as their emotions, when responding to God's call in their lives.

This approach to faith and life creates a broad and diverse community of believers, all seeking to honor God and God's desire for the world.

Who are the Episcopalians?

Episcopalians belong to a tradition that came to life during the great Reformation of the 16th century. The word "Episcopal" is from the Greek that means "bishops." One simple way to think about the denomination is to know that we are a group of people whose spiritual life is presided over by bishops. We are also a liturgical church. This means that we worship using a particular set of forms and practice. The words are found in the Book of Common Prayer. During worship, the people participate with responses, readings from Holy Scripture, singing of hymns, prayers and Holy Eucharist. Worship is corporate in nature, because the congregation shares in all aspects of the liturgy. Besides this corporate nature of worship, the silence at various intervals provides time for the individual to think and reflect on his or her personal experience with God.

Sometimes during an initial visit, people might be confused by the worship structure of the Episcopal Church. The various books, the standing and the kneeling might seem very different from another form of worship. After a few Sundays, the strangeness will begin to feel more comfortable. Before too long, a routine will be established and most people will find the worship to be spiritually renewing.

What is the Book of Common Prayer?

The Book of Common Prayer is a book used during worship. It contains the content of worship, the responses, prayers, and psalms used in worship. Reviewing the book, one will find a range from prayers for daily use to prayers for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This book has evolved over the years. The first Prayer Book is attributed to Thomas Cranmer, who in 1549 developed a Prayer Book which was used in churches throughout England. This collection of prayers and responses provides the basic structure for the current Prayer Book being used in the Episcopal Church.

Three interesting facts that are true of the Episcopal Church today:

1. There are very few "cradle Episcopalians." Most members of the church come from other traditions.
2. The Eucharist (Holy Communion or Lord's Supper) is celebrated in Episcopal churches each Sunday. This "celebration" has been central to Christianity for 2000 years, and it was what our Lord Jesus Christ urged and encourages us to do. On the night He was betrayed, He shared a meal with his friends. While offering and sharing the bread and wine, He told his followers to remember him in and through that particular meal. For centuries, Christians have returned to the Eucharist so that their lives can be encouraged and renewed through Christ's eternal presence in the bread and wine.
3. In Holy Nativity Church, all people are invited to participate in the Eucharist. The food and drink of the table belong to God, not the Church. There is room for you at this table.

        For More Information Contact:
St Peter's Episcopal Church - 1317 Queen Emma Street - Honolulu, Hawai`i
Tel: 808-533-1943 - FAX: 808-531-9904 - office@stpetershonolulu.org

Send mail to stpeter(at)hawaii.rr.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 07/16/07