Becoming a Member of Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church
We hope that you will feel welcome at Saint Augustine’s Church, and that you will decide to take the next step to become a member. When you become a member of our parish family, you are making a commitment to grow in Christ in this particular congregation and we also make a commitment to you that we will support you on your journey in Christ. Becoming a member also means that you will make a commitment of stewardship in time and talents and resources to the building up of our mutual life in Christ. We hope that you will be prepared to pledge an amount appropriate to your income.
There are two levels of membership: becoming a member of the Episcopal Church and also becoming a member of Saint Augustine’s Church.
If you are new to the Christian faith
If you or a member of your family is not yet baptized, that is the first and most important step in becoming a Christian and a member of the Episcopal Church. Baptism is the sacrament of initiation for Christians and is performed during our main service on Sunday mornings so that the whole congregation can take part and welcome the newest Christian in our midst.
When an infant is baptized, his or her parents and godparents make promises on behalf of the child and promise to raise him or her in the Christian faith. Adults and older children make their promises and commitment for themselves. At baptism we renounce evil and promise, with God’s help, to follow Jesus and to “respect the dignity of every human being”. At baptism, we are sprinkled with sanctified water as a symbol that we have been raised into new life in Christ. The newly baptized is signed with blessed oil and “marked as Christ’s own forever”.
At the baptism service, all present promise to support the newly baptized in his or her life in Christ and we also renew our own baptismal vows. In the Episcopal Church we recognize baptism that has been performed in the Name of the Trinity in any other Christian church.
If you have not been Confirmed
Confirmation follows baptism and is an opportunity for adults or late teens to make a mature decision to affirm their faith and membership in the Episcopal Church. Classes to prepare for confirmation are offered on a regular basis at Saint Augustine’s Church. The confirmation service is conducted by a bishop, usually during his or her annual visitation to our parish.
If you have been Confirmed in another Denomination
A service of Reception into the Episcopal Church is offered for those who have been baptized and confirmed in another church. The regularly scheduled confirmation or newcomer classes will be appropriate preparation.
If you have been away from the Episcopal Church
Reaffirmation of your commitment to Christ and to the Episcopal Church may be appropriate for those who have already been baptized and confirmed but who would like to renew their membership and recommit themselves to their faith and to the Church. The Reaffirmation is conducted by the bishop during the Confirmation service. Those seeking Reaffirmation are encouraged to attend the confirmation or newcomer classes.
If you are a member of another Episcopal Church
If you are a member of another Episcopal Church, you may request a transfer of your membership from your previous church. Please call the church office for more information: 706-738-6676.