Our Beliefs

Walking into a church for the first time (or for the first time in a long time) can be intimidating. Please be assured that at St. Mary's, you'll receive a warm, relaxed welcome. We're genuinely glad that you've chosen to worship with us, and we look forward to meeting you. The following information may help you know what to expect when you join us for worship.

What We Believe

The Episcopal Church recognizes that each person's relationship with God is unique and personal. In fact, we are very careful to honor and celebrate that uniqueness, which may help explain why folks who were raised in a variety of Christian traditions have all found a church home at St. Mary's.

At the same time, in common with other Christians throughout the world, Episcopalians hold certain basic beliefs about God and the nature of creation. Those beliefs are summarized in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. These Creeds are ancient and basic statements of Christian belief. From the days of the early Church, the Apostles' Creed has been the public affirmation of the belief of persons who are about to be baptized. The Nicene Creed, which dates from 325 AD, is the most universally accepted statement of the Christian faith, affirmed by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Churches, and most Protestant denominations.

We regularly affirm these statements of faith in our worship services.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

In addition to these basic statements of faith set out in the Creeds, Episcopalians believe that the Bible is God's Word to us and is vital and relevant to our daily life today because God still speaks to us through scripture with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Bible readings and sermons based on those readings are a central component of our worship.

The other central component of worship is Holy Eucharist or Communion, in which we remember Christ's sacrifice of himself for the world and are spiritually nourished by gathering together around the Lord's table. All are invited to receive Communion at St. Mary's.

More About the Episcopal Church

For more information about practices and traditions, visit the National Episcopal Church website.

Please join us for worship at St. Mary's. We look forward to meeting you!