The Episcopal Church
Drawing equally on Scripture, Tradition, and Reason as the basis of our theology, the Episcopal Church is one of the most welcoming and affirming of all Christian denominations. We are delighted that our members hail from all faith backgrounds and walks of life and bring with them a diverse range of theological ideas, finding common ground in the community of the Episcopal Church.
The core beliefs of Episcopalians are simple and shared across all Christian denominations: We believe in God, in Jesus Christ the Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit.
The characteristics that make the Episcopal Church unique are not found in rigid shared positions or specific theological regulations, but rather our belief that each person is traveling their own faith journey and only they can arrive at the conclusions that dictate their ideas and practices. In this spirit, our organization is run by both laypeople and clergy, rather than an elite council or ruler. The Episcopal Church is truly a church of the people.
Visitors to an Episcopal service will notice similarities in prayers, hymns, and structure to other protestant denominations, such as Lutheran or Methodist services, as well as the Catholic mass. For this reason, many people find something “familiar” in the Episcopal service, even if it is their first time attending one of our churches.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Mission & Values
The mission of our parish is to welcome all people into a joyous community of Christian faith where Scripture, Tradition, and Reason are honored.
We share these core values –
- LOVE. Love is the lens and wellspring of our lives: worship, community, and service.
- SCRIPTURE, TRADITION & REASON. We follow Scripture, are informed by reason, and are connected by tradition.
- INCLUSION. We respect the dignity of everyone and try to meet them where they are. All are welcome here.
- FUN. We enjoy life and one another.
- REAL. We gather as our authentic selves and value each unique individual and their experiences. Come as you are.
- WELCOMING. We strive for everyone who encounters St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church to feel connected. Again, all are welcome here.
- GIVING. We gladly share our time, effort, and money to support our church and others beyond the parish.
