What does “Episcopalian” mean?

The Episcopal Church is incarnational. This means that while we hold that God was fully incarnate in Jesus, God is also within every human being. Further, we believe that God created life in this world as fundamentally good, despite any human choices to the contrary. Thus, Episcopalians are devoted to stewardship of the earth, social responsibility, and to “seeking out and serving Christ in all persons,” as the Baptismal promise declares. The Episcopal Church is liturgical. In sacraments, symbols, and prayers, we seek awareness of the presence of God in our lives. Sacraments are visible signs of inward and invisible grace. The Episcopal Church is scriptural. It encourages each person’s critical study of the Scripture following one’s own conscience and guided by the wisdom found in traditional and contemporary thinking and interpretation. The Episcopal Church is inclusive, following the example of Jesus Christ, who preached loving inclusion, and against division. In that spirit, we invite all baptized persons to the Eucharist and share a profound dialogue with Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Native Americans, and others. We are called to be of one heart, if not necessarily one mind, because we come from one heart. This principle leads us to habits of open-mindedness, patience, and listening. We seek common prayer, not common doctrine. The Episcopal Church is a community of service. Following the example of Jesus, we approach the path of life by coming “not to be served, but to serve.” Social, political, and charitable actions reflect this spiritual imperative. The Episcopal Church is aesthetic. We have a strong respect for the beauty of holiness and of virtue. In art and music, we seek quality because through them we express spiritual and ethical values. The Episcopal Church is moderate, affirming balance as a high virtue. We hold personal freedom and communal responsibilities in constant tension. We are Catholic and Protestant. We seek a balance between social action and quiet, personal reflection.