|
· Member of the Anglican Communion, historically associated with the Church of England and we share many of its traditions.
· We look "Protestant" to Roman Catholics... and "Catholic" to Protestants
· Our worship is liturgical (it follows a set pattern every Sunday) and how the service is conducted is contained in books, approved by the national and diocesan legislative bodies. Our usual Sunday services are contained in the Book of Common Prayer. We also use a Hymnal and sometimes services from the Book of Occasional Services.
· We read 4 passages from the Bible (one Old Testament lesson, one Psalm, one Epistle [or other New Testament but non-Gospel reading] and one reading from a Gospel) at all Sunday services and our sermons concentrate on at least one of the texts.
· Our Sacraments ("outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace") are 2 instituted and ordained by Jesus: Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Five other sacraments were neither directly commanded by Jesus, nor are they necessary for everyone. They are confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent (confession and absolution), and unction (last rites).
· We have three orders of ordained ministry: Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
· Our governing system resembles that of the United States. The Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) is led by the Presiding Bishop, who is elected from amongst all of the Bishops around the country. Church law (canon) is set at General Convention, held every 3 years. The two legislative bodies of the ECUSA are the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies (both lay and clergy, elected by their Dioceses). Dioceses are geographical units (often states) which are presided over by at least one Bishop. Diocesan canon is set by, and Diocesan Bishops are elected at yearly legislative meetings (conventions or councils). Voting at such meetings is done by all ordained clergy and representative lay people from each Parish or Mission. Parishes are local church units which are economically self-sufficient. Missions are local church units which require some economic assistance from the Diocese overseeing them. |