The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do, and be, as followers of Christ.

     Exploring this section may answer some of your questions - or raise additional ones! Visit a church, or three, to find out more. The best way to learn about the Episcopal Church is to become a part of it.
     o    On Being an Episcopalian - from the National Episcopal Church
     o    Excerpts from "101 Reasons To Be an Episcopalian" - compiled by Louie Crew 
     o    Top 10 Reasons for Being an Episcopalian - according to Robin Williams the actor

On Being an Episcopalian - from the National Episcopal Church:
     o    What to Expect When You Visit an Episcopal Church 
     o    The Search for Spiritual Meaning
     o    Spiritual but not Religious
     o    The Story of Jesus, in Brief
     o    What Makes us Christian?
     o    What Makes us Anglican? - Hallmarks of the Episcopal Church
     o    An Outline of Faith - This is a commentary on the creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practice; rather, it is a point of departure. It provides a brief summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring stranger who picks up a Prayer Book.
        
Excerpts from "101 Reasons To Be an Episcopalian"

• Each of us has a different reason to be an Episcopalian—and each reason is equally valid ...
• Most of us wouldn’t want to be in a denomination that pretends to have all the answers, or where people are never allowed to disagree. We value our right to disagree and remain in the same Communion ...
• Episcopalians have rarely had enough members to afford the luxury of requiring everyone to think alike ... But we all come to the same Table because the Episcopal Church is a place where God loves us before we decide whether we love God. We come here because here it is safe to doubt, because no one will force us to claim a certainty we don’t feel.
• Most of us can probably say the Creed without setting off a lie detector, but we rejoice that the Episcopal Church doesn’t require one.
• Do we care about belief? Yes, passionately. Do we care about God and Jesus? Yes, passionately. But we know that we don’t have a corner on the truth. We know that we don’t have a priority access to God and Jesus. ...
• God forgives all our sins. In the Episcopal Church, we don’t have to harbor and dwell on our sins continually. That’s why we have an altar. We leave our sins there. In the Eucharist [communion] God makes us all blood kin. We pray to be forgiven as we forgive. We don’t get rid of our enemies; we learn to love them instead..
• I’ve met Jesus in the Episcopal Church time after time, and at the end of the encounter, Jesus always sends me out into the world in peace, to do the work that God wants me to do, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• And ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. We’re not proud of ourselves, but of God and the good news. And we think you will be too. We invite you to let us see God in your countenance among us."
  • compiled by Louie Crew;© Feb., 2003, Morehouse Publishing

Top 10 Reasons for Being An Episcopalian - according to Robin Williams (yes, the actor and comedian):

1. No snake handling.
2. You can believe in dinosaurs.
3. Male and female, God Created them: male and female we ordain them.
4. You don't have to check your brains at the door.
5. Pew aerobics.
6. Church year is color coded.
7. Free wine on Sundays.
8. All the pageantry, non of the guilt.
9. You don't have to know how to swim to get baptized.
10. No matter what you believe, there's bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.