Becoming a Member At Christ the King, we treasure everyone who comes to worship, serve, pray, and learn. However, attendance - even regular attendance - is not quite the same as being a member. Indeed, though not precisely like social or professional organizations, The Episcopal Church does have membership criteria. This is not for the purpose of saying who is "in" or who is "out", but to identify who has taken the intentional step to be part of the worshipping community.
Church membership is defined in the Church Canons (church law). Adult Members are entitled to vote at the parish's Annual Meeting and Adult Communicants in Good Standing are eligible to hold elected office on vestry or as a delegate to Diocesan Convention.
MEMBEr
A member is someone you has "received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.1.a).
COMMUNICANT IN GOOD STANDING
"All members of this Church who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the preceding year are to be considered communicants of this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). A baptized communicant is considered to be "in good standing" when, for the previous year, they are "faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). "Giving" is most easily reflected in monetary gifts, but this not required to be.
ADULT
"Adult" is defined as anyone sixteen (16) years of age and over (Title 1, Canon 17.1.b). At Christ the King, you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to hold elected office.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER AT CHRIST THE KING, PLEASE FILL OUT THE HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION FORM AND YOU WILL BE DULY RECORDED BY THE SECRETARY.
Holy Baptism Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which a person is adopted as a member of the household of God and made a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. Baptism is done with water in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit as a sign of union with Christ.
If you would like to be baptized please see Rev. Robert Moses. If you have been baptized and would like your baptism recorded in this church, please fill out The Household Information Form (likewise, if you were baptized in a different Episcopal Church and would like to have your membership transferred).
Confirmation, Reception, & Reaffirmation Confirmation is the sacrament in which a person expresses a mature commitment to Christ before the bishop (or designate) who anoints them with sacred oil of Chrism (outward and visible) as a sign of being sealed in the Holy Spirit.
Reception is the sacramental rite in which a person already confirmed by a bishop in Apostolic succession (i.e. Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox, AME) makes a similar profession as a formal entrance in The Episcopal Church.
Reaffirmation is a sacramental rite for those who have been confirmed but have been away from the church for a time or otherwise would like to reaffirm their faith publicly.
If you would like to be confirmed or received, or would like to make a reaffirmation of faith please see Rev. Robert Moses. All three are sacramental rites officiated by the bishop and require preparation - classes are offered periodically.
Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion is the sacrament commanded by Christ as a continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again in which bread and wine given according to Christ's command are made into the body and blood of Christ and given to the people. In the Episcopal Church, we firmly believe in the Real Presence of Christ (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in the Holy Eucharist.
In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians (no matter their congregational status) are invited to receive Communion.
