Membership

In the Episcopal Church, membership is defined as follows: “All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church, are members thereof” (Canon I.16.1a).

Active baptized members are those who meet the definition above and are regularly present in worship and in the corporate life of the parish. Communicants are members “who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the preceding year” (Canon I.17.2.a). Adult communicants are communicants who are 16 years of age and older. Adult communicants in good standing are “communicants of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God” (Canon 1.17.3.)

To become an official member of Good Shepherd, one may

  • Be baptized, if not already baptized.

OR

  • Transfer one’s membership

    • from another Episcopal parish by requesting a letter of transfer (you may request this yourself by contacting your former parish, or you may ask Father Kyle to do so), or

    • from a church of another denomination by written acknowledgment from that church that one is removed from the register of that parish. (We would also appreciate any copies of baptismal and/or confirmation certificates if available.) If written proof of membership in another parish can’t be found or isn’t available, one’s name may be entered into Good Shepherd’s parish register by request.

OR

  • Be confirmed through the laying on of hands by a bishop if not already confirmed in a denomination with bishops in apostolic succession.

OR

  • Be received into the Episcopal Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop if already confirmed in another denomination with bishops in apostolic succession.

The recording of one’s baptism in our parish register is one’s official record of membership in the Episcopal Church. While it’s possible to be an active baptized member without being confirmed, the Episcopal Church’s canons state that “[i]t is expected that all adult members of this Church, after appropriate instruction, will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church or by a Bishop of a Church in full communion with this Church” (Canon 1.17.1.c). Those preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception into the Episcopal Church participate in Pilgrims in Christ.

Each year, we formally welcome new members during a brief rite at Sung Mass. If you have further questions about membership, please contact Father Kyle Babin, rector.