Episcopalians affirm a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, making us part of the third-largest group of Christians in the world.
At our Baptism we:
- Renounce all sinful desires, evil powers of this world and spiritual forces that draw us from the love of God.
- And we turn to Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our trust in his grace, and promise to follow and obey him as our Lord.
In our Baptismal Covenant we affirm:
- Belief in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
- Belief in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- And belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
And we commit to:
- Continuing in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.
- Persevering in resisting evil, and, whenever [we] fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
- Proclaiming by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
- Seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as [ourselves].
- And striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being.
Episcopalians are dedicated to a legacy of inclusion, striving to both share and embody God’s love for all people. In our church, women and men serve equally as bishops, priests, and deacons, with laypeople and clergy leading together at every level. We believe that leadership is a gift from God, open to everyone regardless of sexual identity or orientation. Above all, we affirm that God loves us all—no exceptions.