Anglicanism

First and foremost, Anglicans are Christians. Globally, Anglicans form the third largest body of Christians in the world (around 80 million members) behind the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

The name “Anglican” is traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Europe. The tribal name was spelled “Engles” or “Angles” – their speech was the precursor to the English language. Their island became known as England, and their Christians were known as Anglicans. The name has nothing to do with “angels”!

Our tradition is grounded in the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are ancient and yet contemporary. Our statement of faith is the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

Anglicans are deeply and intentionally rooted in Christian history. In fact, English/Celtic Christianity is truly “Apostolic” and dates back to the earliest days of Christianity. The Anglican Reformation of the 16th and 17th Centuries did not throw away the entirety of the tradition which came before it; instead, our framers ‘reformed’ the already existing patterns of worship in the Church. Anglicans utilize ancient modes of worship (often called ‘liturgy’) and creeds.

The purpose of our worship is to praise and glorify God, and to receive and renew faith in Jesus Christ. We worship according to the Book of Common Prayer, which guides us so we can pray and worship together in unity. It also helps our visitors follow along with what we’re doing.

We gather, we pray, we sing, we confess our sins and rejoice in God’s forgiveness. We hear readings from the Bible and a sermon, followed by the Creed. Then we celebrate Holy Communion together.

To understand what and how Anglicans pray is to understand what they believe.  The Prayer Book, described as the Scriptures arranged for worship, provides helpful resources for everything from personal daily devotions to large public gatherings of worship.  It includes prayers for every season of life. You can view/download the Book of Common Prayer here.

Anglican churches welcome all Christians to worship with them.

Any Christian who is baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who comes repenting of their sins; and believing that Jesus Christ really feeds them in the sacrament, is most welcome to receive Communion at our Church.