Sunday Worship 8 & 11 am · Details

  218 S. Second Street, Smithfield, NC 27577-4532  ·   919-934-2675  ·   Give

St. Paul's Smithfield
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Leadership
    • FAQs
  • Worship
    • Worship Services
    • Sermons
    • Live Stream
    • Life Events - Sacraments
    • Music
    • Labyrinth
  • Life Together
    • Learning
    • Gathering
    • Caring
    • Serving
  • Connect
    • News & Events
    • Calendar
    • Prayer Requests
    • Getting Here
    • Give
    • Contact Us
  • Give

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 intitiation 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 Saint 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).

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation is a mature profession of one’s faith. While it is often undertaken separately from the sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confirmation is actually a reaffirmation of the baptismal rite and involves a public affirmation of faith and the laying on of hands by a Bishop. For those being baptized as a teenager or adult in the presence of a Bishop, confirmation would take place as a part of the baptismal rite.

Read More »

Baptism

Holy Baptism is a sacrament by which God welcomes new members into Christ's Body, the Christian Church, and offers them a place in the reign of God as expressed through the Christian faith. Th…

Read More »


Share this page: Becoming a Member
About St. Paul's Who We Are Leadership Becoming a Member FAQs Our History

Worship with Us

  • 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Organ and Choral Music
  • Join our 11 a.m. online

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
218 S. Second Street
Smithfield, NC 27577-4532
919-934-2675

Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

  View Entire Post

Service Times

Worship with Us

  • 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Organ and Choral Music

Watch our 11 a.m.live-streamed here or on Zoom


Location

St. Paul's Smithfield
218 S. Second Street
Smithfield, NC 27577-4532

Contact Us
919-934-2675

Newsletter Signup

Welcome What to Expect Leadership Labyrinth The Episcopal Church

Walk with Us: A Note from the Rector

“Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey.” (Luke 24:15)

Our lives are a journey that involve our whole selves, body, mind, and spirit. No matter where you are on your own path we invite you to find refreshment and community here at St. Paul’s. We know each individual's walk is unique, made at varying paces, on different schedules, with assorted luggage, and often requiring some form of assistance. It is our hope that we at St. Paul’s can walk with you, and our prayer that you will join us on the journey together.

Learn More

At St. Paul's we work to create a place of belonging. Belonging for us means that when you are here you are home. We hope you will find your home here, in all the ways home invites us to find comfort, lean into the love of family, and enjoy the peace of knowing we are where we're meant to be. Like any home there is always work to be done, food to be enjoyed, and good times to be had. So make yourself at home, find where you all called, and lean into our St. Paul's family. Whether you are attending your first ever Episcopal service or you “know the ropes,” every church is a little different. Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. And if you still have more questions, just ask!


FAQs

As Episcopalians, we believe that all baptized people are called to minister in the Church. Everyone has a different role. Our clergy serve as the spiritual leaders of our congregation, our staff is responsible for overseeing our program ministries and day-to-day responsibilities, and our vestry is responsible for parish decision-making.

Meet Our Leadership

Labyrinths are ancient spiritual tools designed to assist one in prayer, meditation, reflection, and respite. All are welcome to enjoy and use our Labyrinth which is open to the public. Find out more about our labyrinth, seasonal walks, and the St. Paul’s Labyrinth/Meditation Garden Burial Guidelines.

Learn More

St. Paul's is a vibrant ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, which is one of the 109 dioceses of The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

We following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with the earth as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. We seek every day to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).

The Episcopal Church The Diocese of North Carolina

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

As faithful Christains, created in the image of God, we are called to care for this earth, for one another, and for the resources we have been endowed with by our Creator. One way of caring for all we have been given is finding ways to use our resources (time, talent, and treasure) to support and bless God’s work in the world. There are many ways we can give of our time, talent, and treasure. Giving of our treasure, financially, allows us at St. Paul’s to continue our work of ministry at St. Paul’s, in our Community, and in the world.

Donate Online Pledge Online