Becoming a Member

First and foremost, we are all children of God, and all baptized persons are full members of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. The Book of Common Prayer states, “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble” (BCP, p 298). This means that if you have been baptized in another tradition you need not be baptized again!

However, if you wish to become a member of Saint Paul’s:

• and you have not been baptized in a Christian Church, you may speak to the Priest about instruction and arranging a date for your baptism into the body of Christ. From time to time, we offer a class titled “Episcopal Church 101, which is designed to help newcomers learn about the Episcopal Church for the first time or long time members freshen their experience.
• and you are a member of another Episcopal Church, please call the Parish Office to have your present membership transferred to St. Paul’s. Another option is to simply call your former parish and ask them to send your transfer (this is a good way to have closure regarding your move).
• and you are a member of another Christian denomination, we will be happy to transfer your letter to our Parish. You may then participate in our Episcopal Church 101 classes to prepare you for full membership in the Episcopal Church.

Confirmation is a sacrament that complements Holy Baptism. The Book of Common Prayer states, “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.

Those baptized adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands” (BCP, p 412).