The Episcopal Church
St. John’s is a member of the Diocese of Alabama which is, in turn, part of The Episcopal Church. As the Episcopal Church we are a welcoming Christian community that values tradition, diversity, and thoughtful engagement with faith. A province of the Anglican Communion, we celebrate the beauty of liturgy, scripture, and sacraments while embracing an openness to new ideas and interpretations. At the heart of our faith is a belief in God’s love for all people, and we seek to live out that love in the world.
Coming out of the Roman Catholic tradition but also being heavily influenced by the Protestant Reformation, the Episcopal Church values inclusivity and respects a variety of viewpoints. Some call this Anglican identity “a middle way,” and one can see a number of ways in which we hold both Catholic and Protestant characteristics simultaneously.
The Book of Common Prayer
While there is no one expression of faith, we recognize the ancient saying “lex orandi, lex credendi” which means, “the law of prayer is the law of belief.” In other words, our liturgy, as found in The Book of Common Prayer, shapes our beliefs as we return to the apostle’s teaching, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers week after week after week.
As part of our liturgy, we hear and reflect upon Holy Scripture which, the church teaches, contains all things necessary for salvation. Each week we hear a reading from the Old Testament, we respond with a Psalm, we listen to a reading from the New Testament, and we conclude with a reading from one of the Gospels.
In addition to praying for our church and our world, we also affirm the ancient Christian creeds, which express our belief in the Holy Trinity — God the Father, who created and loves all things; God the Son, Jesus Christ, who lived and died and was raised from the dead to set all people free from the power of sin and death; and God the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers us as the Body of Christ.
Finally, we celebrate Holy Communion as a central part of our weekly worship, believing that through this sacrament we experience God’s grace and presence in a deep and tangible way.
The Work of Reconciliation
As Episcopalians, we believe the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each and every one of us is an integral part in this work. Rooted in our commitment to represent Christ and his church wherever we may be and, according to the gifts given us, to take part in the work of Christ’s reconciliation, we take the covenant we make at our baptisms (or that is made on our behalf) very seriously. In this covenant, we commit to seek and serve Christ in all persons, strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being. These promises shape our daily lives, guide us as we walk the path of discipleship, and ground our social justice, compassion, and service efforts. Whether through caring for the marginalized, advocating for equality, or working toward reconciliation, we aim to live out our faith in action.
We also emphasize a thoughtful and reflective approach to faith. We welcome questions and dialogue as part of the spiritual journey, trusting that through exploration and community, we can grow closer to God and one another.
Please Join Us
Most importantly, we want you to know that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you in the Episcopal Church. We invite you to join us in worship, fellowship, and service as we seek to love God, love our neighbors, and love ourselves.
