✨ What We Believe

Faith that is Ancient, Inclusive, and Always Becoming

At St. James Episcopal Church, we are part of The Episcopal Church—a sacramental, liturgical, and open-hearted branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

We believe in a faith that is both ancient and evolving, grounded in tradition and open to the Spirit’s movement in our time.

We follow Jesus. We strive for justice and mercy. We embrace mystery. And we welcome all—no matter your background, doubts, or where you are on your spiritual journey.

🙌 The Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement

We are proud to be part of a Church that is being re-formed into the Episcopal branch of The Jesus Movement—a community of love, liberation, and radical welcome.

We seek, with God's help, to:

  • Continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers;

  • Persevere in resisting evil, and when we fall into sin, to repent and return to the Lord;

  • Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ;

  • Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves;

  • Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

(From the Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer)

At St. James, we are a no-judgment zone. Come as you are—even if you’re not sure what you believe. Even if you’ve been hurt by church. Even if this is your first time back in a long while.
You are beloved, just as you are.

📖 Scripture, Reason, and Tradition

Episcopalians understand the Bible as the inspired Word of God—best interpreted through the lenses of tradition, reason, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Our worship is steeped in Scripture. Our sermons wrestle with it honestly. And we don’t fear the hard questions—we believe God welcomes them.

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them..."
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 236)

💧 Holy Baptism

Baptism is full initiation into the life of Christ and the community of faith. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are adopted into God’s family and reminded that nothing—nothing—can separate us from God’s love.

“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church.”
(BCP, p. 298)

🍞 Holy Communion (The Eucharist)

We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. It’s the heart of our worship—the table where all are fed.

Also called the Eucharist (meaning “thanksgiving”), it’s a sacred meal of bread and wine that connects us with Christ and one another. All baptized persons are welcome to receive.

“We thank you... for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son.”
(BCP, p. 366)

✝️ The Sacramental Life

We believe in a sacramental worldview—that God is always showing up in tangible ways.

In addition to Baptism and Eucharist, we honor:

  • Confirmation – Affirming one’s faith as an adult

  • Reconciliation – Private confession and forgiveness

  • Marriage – Celebrating covenantal love

  • Ordination – Commissioning deacons, priests, and bishops

  • Unction – Anointing and healing prayer for the sick

“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.”
(BCP, p. 857)

📚 The Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer is the heartbeat of Episcopal worship. It contains ancient prayers, modern reflections, rites for life’s big moments, and guides for personal devotion.

It’s also a symbol of unity across difference:
We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our common prayer.

🕊 The Creeds

We embrace the mystery and majesty of God through the ancient Creeds. While not everyone interprets every word the same way, these statements connect us with generations of Christians who have gone before.

  • The Apostles’ Creed – used in Baptism

  • The Nicene Creed – recited in Communion services

(Creed texts can be found in the Book of Common Prayer on pp. 96, 358–359)

❤️ Love is the Core

We believe that the love of God is unearned, unlimited, and unstoppable.
We don’t follow Jesus because we have all the answers—we follow him because his way leads to healing, truth, and new life.

Come walk with us.
Come ask, come wrestle, come wonder, come worship.
There is room for you here.