How to become a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church
A person interested in church membership begins by attending church services or programs or ministries on Sundays or during the week.
If you indicate that you are interested in becoming a member through the visitor’s pew card and/or a conversation with a member of the congregation or a clergy person you will be invited to enter our new member process.
To help you better understand ‘membership’ at St. Philip’s it might be helpful to know that in the Episcopal Church, one is completely initiated and fully a member of the Body of Christ when baptized. We strongly recommend that people be confirmed as well (Confirmation represents a mature affirmation of faith, a reaffirmation of Baptismal vows, and is signified by the laying on of hands by the bishop).
In the New Member/Inquirer’s Process we hope to answer three questions that people bring to any new organization in their life:
- WHO ARE YOU?
- HOW DO I BELONG?
- DO I WANT TO BELONG?
We also believe that the goal is to become an Active Member of this fine church. To that end the Vestry of St. Philip’s has defined the following Categories of Membership and the Process to become an Active Member of St. Philip’s.
- Visitor/Inquirer
- Friend
- New Member
- Active Member
Visitor/Inquirer
- the person and/or family that expresses an interest in St. Philip’s
- attendance at worship
Friend
- One who looks to St. Philip’s as his or her spiritual home
New Member
- A Baptized Christian
- Person who has completed the New Member Incorporation process
- New Member Social
- New Member Orientation
- New Member Recognition Sunday
Active Member
Person who for at least six (6) months
- ATTENDS WORSHIP in a Regular Manner
- PARTICIPATES in the Ministries & activities of the Parish
- INVOLVED in one or more of the ministries of the Parish
- SUPPORTS the Parish through the intentional prayer and Financial Giving in a Recorded Gift or pledge.
- If member of another Episcopal Church, request the Parish Office to transfer your membership.
- If baptized member of another denomination or fellowship, request the Parish Office to give you information forms.
- If not baptized, speak to the Clergy about Baptismal preparation.
- Under any circumstances, please feel free to speak to the Clergy.
Members of other Episcopal churches who wish to Transfer to this parish must complete the New Member process at St. Philip’s to be recognized as a Member of this parish.
It is also a requirement that the Rector of the Parish you are leaving must be personally informed. It is preferred by the Rector of St. Philip’s that this communication is done in person.
BECOMING A MEMBER
The Categories of Membership
Inquirer
Friend
New Member
Active Member
Inquirer
- The person and/or family that expresses an interest in St. Philip’s
- Attendance at worship
Friend
- One who looks to St. Philip’s as his or her spiritual home
New Member
- A Baptized Christian
- Person who has completed the New Member Incorporation process
- New Member Social
- New Member Orientation
- New Member Recognition Sunday
Active Member
Person who for at least six (6) months
- ATTENDS WORSHIP in a Regular Manner
- PARTICIPATES in the Ministries & activities of the Parish
- INVOLVED in one more of the ministries of the Parish
- SUPPORT the Parish through the intentional prayer and Financial giving in a Recorded Gift pledge.
Members of other Episcopal churches who wish to Transfer to their parish must complete the New Member process at St. Philip’s to be recognized as a Member of this parish.
It is also a requirement that the Rector of the Parish you are leaving must be personally informed. It is preferred by the Rector of St. Philip’s that this communication be done in person.
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