The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, better known as The Episcopal Church, was established after the American Revolution, when it separated from the Church of England. The Episcopal Church, the Church of England, and member churches from other countries form the Anglican Communion around the World.
The Episcopal Church is based in the United States but has dioceses elsewhere. The church is hierarchal, with the diocese, led by a bishop, as the base unit of the church. There are 106 dioceses within the church divided into several provinces, within which every state and locations outside the U.S. are represented. The church is led by a Presiding Bishop (elected every 9 years), a House of Bishops, and a House of Deputies (other clergy and laypersons). St Ann’s, like the other parishes, are the “hands and feet on the ground”, proudly part of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.
In the history of the church there were certainly missteps, especially regarding slavery and indigenous peoples, which the church has worked to heal and, we believe, learn from.
The church is Protestant, yet Catholic, and often referred to as the “middle way”.
Since the 1960’s and 70’s the Episcopal Church has steered a more liberal course but welcomes a wide spectrum of both liberals and conservatives with varying viewpoints. Important beliefs in that regard include:
Since the 1960’s and 70’s the Episcopal Church has steered a more liberal course such as welcoming and accepting people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations, including marriage and ordination, equality of race, opposing the death penalty, protecting the vulnerable amongst us, and standing against mass deportations, especially Dreamers and those with temporarily protected status. It welcomes a wide spectrum of both liberals and conservatives with varying viewpoints.
The Episcopal Church places high value on transparency and informed/engaged members.
Individual parishes may feature very traditional “high” services or more modern “low” services, with any one church as likely as not to offer both at times. St Ann’s typically offers services with modern English used.
The Episcopal Church uses the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and the 1982 Hymnal. The BCP is where the term “The Prayer Book People” originated during missionary efforts. At St. Ann’s we make a pew leaflet available that contains the entire service in sequential order for those who prefer not to use the BCP.
The foundation service for the Episcopal Church is the celebration of the Eucharist. Other services are also celebrated such as Morning Prayer. At St Ann’s all are welcome at the Table of the Lord.
Parishes are led by clergy working in tandem with laypersons to manage operations, while spreading the Word and the Mission of the church. St Ann’s is no exception to that with a high level of layperson engagement.
Today it is estimated that there are some 1.6 million Episcopalians in the United States.