Frequently Asked Questions

We are Episcopalians. Our practices may be strange and perhaps even uncomfortable for you at first. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear from newcomers--or that we remember we had when we became Episcopalians (most of us are not "cradle Episcopalians"). For even more information, check out our Glossary page and our Links to other sites.

Questions

Answers

Do you really say the same words every Sunday?  Where does spontaneity come in? There are variations, but we do pretty much follow the script in the Book of Common Prayer during our public worship. Having a script allows everyone, clergy and laity, to learn their parts and to participate, and participation not only makes for great worship, it expresses the meaning of being part of a Christian community  The texts used have developed over a period of 2000 years and are deep enough and subtle enough to be inspirational over a lifetime of use.  Spontaneity comes as we worship and study individually or in small groups.
Why do you have Communion every Sunday? Doesn't that cheapen it?  We have Eucharist (Communion) every Sunday in celebration of Christ's resurrection on the first day of the week.  This practice dates from the first century, and originated in the meals to which Jesus invited all sorts and conditions of people.  God's saving act reconciling the world to himself is so important and yet so hard to internalize that it bears repeating.
Can I take Communion? Yes! Not only are you welcome, you are invited! It is the Lord's table, and He invites you to it.
Do you really drink wine at Communion? Yes we drink wine and eat bread at Communion.  If either presents a problem for you, it is ok to take just the other.
How do I receive Communion? When you kneel or stand at the altar rail, you will be offered a wafer of consecrated bread and a sip of consecrated wine from the common chalice.

The usual way to receive the bread is to place your right hand in your left, and to extend your open palms toward the server. To receive the wine from the chalice, it is helpful if you guide the chalice from the base of it to your lips. If you prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, you may dip it yourself or you may hand it to the chalice bearer to dip into the wine. Or you may choose not to receive the wine.

If you do not wish to receive communion, you are still invited to come to the altar rail to receive a blessing from the priest. Please indicate this by folding your arms across your chest.

Isn't sipping wine from a common cup unsanitary? Those who have studied the question tell us that this practice is no more dangerous than the usual contact with other people, such as shaking hands. We know of no instance where disease has been spread through use of the common cup. If you are uncomfortable with this practice, you may take bread only at Communion.
You do a lot of kneeling, standing and sitting.  How do I know what to do when?  And what's it all about anyway? Traditionally, we have said that we stand to sing, kneel to pray and sit to listen.  But sometimes we stand when we pray and sit when we sing.  And sometimes some people stand while others are kneeling.  What you are seeing is a mixture of traditions, especially with respect to prayer, where both standing and kneeling are considered to be respectful postures. Don't worry getting it "right."  Episcopalians usually grant others the independence of thought and action that they expect for themselves. 
What do I call the clergy? It varies, depending on the person.  Episcopal clergy may want to be called "Father Jones" or "Father Joe" or "Ms" or "Mrs." or "Mother" or "Mr." or "Joe," or "Mary."  The only way to really know is to ask. There is one almost-certain rule: Episcopalians never address their priest as "Reverend."  "The Reverend" is used as a title when referring to a priest in the third person. 
Where did the Episcopal Church come from? Our church inherits many centuries of catholic and apostolic tradition. Missionaries brought Christianity to England in the second century. The faith flourished and became organized as the Church of England in the 16th century.  English colonists brought the Anglican (English) Church to the United States. After the American Revolution, it separated from the Church of England and became known as the Episcopal Church.
But King Henry the VIII was your founder, right? Christ was our founder.  There was an English Christian Church from the second century or so.  What Henry and his Parliament did was to declare that the English Church was again independent from and equal to the Roman Church as had been other national churches (the Greek and the Ethiopian churches, for example) since the beginning.
I see people crossing themselves.  Am I expected to?  What's it mean? As with many Episcopal customs, crossing oneself is optional.  Making the sign of the cross was used from  the earliest times to sanctify every action of daily life from morning to night.  Presently it usually signifies giving or receiving a blessing. 
Do you have a pope? No, in fact Anglicans have no central authority as such.  A worldwide Anglican Church does not exist, at least not in the form that one might think. There are nearly 40 independent Anglican churches, none of which has authority over any other. The Anglican Communion has no Pope, no Patriarch, no overall director nor any Parliament or Congress either. See Anglican.
Then you're Protestants, right? Not really, even though the name of the Episcopal Church used to contain the word "protestant."  We like to think of ourselves as the "via media"--the middle way-- between protestants and Roman Catholics.  We are both catholic and evangelical with roots going back to the historic Episcopate of the Apostles. We are one part of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
What do you believe? The best way to find out what Episcopalians believe is to participate in our worship and join us in our work in the world. The three basic sources of our beliefs are scripture, tradition and reason.  The Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, two ancient and ecumenical professions of faith second only to scripture, summarize these beliefs.  A more complete summary of our beliefs is found in the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer. On a lighter note, you might enjoy Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian by Robin Williams.
Do you have Sacraments? Yes.  A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. The two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church are Baptism and Eucharist (Communion). Other sacramental rites which evolved in the Church include Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), and Unction (healing).
Do you have private confession?  Are Episcopalians expected to go to confession? Yes we have private confession, which we call Reconciliation of a Penitent, and any priest can and will offer you this sacrament.  But we don't have confessionals and we don't require private confession.  Virtually every public worship service we do contains a prayer of confession followed by an absolution.
How do I join the Episcopal Church? We expect all Episcopalians to be Baptized. Nothing more is required to participate in the life of the church. If you want to be baptized, contact us to make arrangements.

If you wish to make a public, adult, affirmation of faith, you may choose to be Confirmed at the next bishop's visitation. If you were already confirmed in a church in the apostolic succession, you would instead be Received.

In any case, you always have the option of publicly reaffirming your baptismal vows, even after confirmation, if you so choose--but this is a highly personal matter, and not in any way required.

How do I join Grace Church? It's simple: Let us know you want to be a member, and we'll add you to our membership list.  If you are a member of another church, we will submit the transfer request to your former church.
A spiritual home where all are welcome.
5501 Hamilton Avenue, College Hill (Cincinnati), OH 45224, Phone 513-541-2415.

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