Membership Recognition
We have started a new approach to acknowledging membership at St. Michael’s. We are being very intentional about recognizing new members. You may have noticed that we regularly welcome new members into the family of St. Michael’s. In our Episcopal tradition any baptized* person worshiping in a congregation is considered a member of that congregation. However, in our 21st century culture where “inherited” denominational affiliation is breaking down, we are finding value in intentionally inviting people to join our family. This is St. Michael’s way of saying, “Welcome; we’re glad you’re here; you’re family.”
Of course, one can be a member of St. Michael’s without ever presenting oneself at the altar, but we are learning that this communal welcome during worship has meaning to many.
If you would like to be part of our “New Member Recognition and Blessing,” please contact Mary Healy .
This act of welcome does not replace the sacrament of confirmation or reception by the bishop. Preparation classes for confirmation and reception will continue to be offered, and the sacrament of baptism will be offered regularly. If you have any questions about membership in the church, including our “New Member Blessing,” baptism, confirmation or reception by the bishop, please talk to Brin or Robby.
*We also appreciate folks who are not baptized but attend worship and are valued parts of our family.
Becoming a Member of St. Michael’s – general information
It is simple and easy to become a member of St. Michael’s.
Whenever a a baptized person lets us know that they consider themselves to be “part of the community of St. Michael’s,” that person or household is entered as an active member in our database, listed in the current directory and will receive all mailings and notices sent to the general parish, including stewardship information.
Please fill out one of the green membership sheets available in the church entryway and we will get your membership process underway.
If you, or someone in your family, has not been baptized, please speak with one of the clergy. We accept all baptisms done with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We do not re-baptize anyone – everyone renews their own baptismal covenant at every baptism celebration. For more information, please check out Baptism found on the “Worship” page of this website.
Every Episcopal church also has several formal register books recording baptisms, weddings, burials, confirmations and voting membership (required for several leadership positions). In order to be recorded in this membership book, you must either “transfer in” or be baptized or confirmed at St. Michael’s. Confirmation is the sacrament of affirming/confirming your baptism. One of our bishops normally visits St. Michael’s in November or December of each year and folks are confirmed and received at that time. Check out Confirmation found on the “Worship” page of this website.
If you were baptized as an infant or child, and as an adult have never had the opportunity to “confirm” or “affirm” your baptism, you are invited to do so. If you have made an adult confirmation or affirmation of baptism in another denomination, we will “receive” you into the Episcopal Church.
If you have been a member of another Episcopal church – whether you were confirmed there or not — please let us know which church and location and the approximate years you were there. We request a “letter of transfer” from that congregation, and they mark your records as “transferred out” and we enter you in our formal register as a baptized or confirmed person as applicable.
If you come from any other denomination (fx. Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, etc.) there is no paperwork involved from the previous congregation – just give us the information requested on the enclosed membership form and we’ll get your record established.
If you have never been associated with any church, let us know and we’ll get you started.
Q: What is the duty of all Christians?
A: The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.
~ from the Catechism, Book of Common Prayer, p.856
