Becoming a Member of St. Paul’s

First, we would love to have you join St. Paul’s.

Here is some general information about membership in the Church. Baptism makes us members of the Church, and we can then live into the meaning of our baptism within specific congregations and Christian denominations.

The four sections below will spell this out more fully.

1. Most importantly, the sacrament of Holy Baptism makes you a member of the Universal Christian Church. The Episcopal Church recognizes all persons baptized with water and in the name of the Holy Trinity as Christian.

2. All baptized members are encouraged to receive the sacrament of confirmation either when they reach maturity or in connection with baptism if they are baptized as adults. In confirmation, ‘we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and a bishop's laying on of hands.’ After confirmation, a person is a confirmed member of St. Paul’s.

3. If you were baptized and confirmed in another denomination, you may be received (rather than reconfirmed) by a bishop of the Episcopal Church. This makes you a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church. Adults (16 years of age and older), confirmed communicants in good standing (you have been faithful in attending corporate worship and in praying, working, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God) may vote for Vestry (the ruling body of the congregation), run for the Vestry and represent the congregation in the diocese.

4. If you are a member of another Episcopal parish, you can transfer your letter to St. Paul's to become a member. Contact Carly Woodfin at carly@stpaulschatt.org to do so.

It is essential to know that you can always be an active participant in the worship and fellowship of the parish, even if you aren’t a member of St. Paul’s yet.

If you want confirmation, Fr. Murdock Jones facilitated a St. Paul’s 101 class that explains our process in more depth.

We hope this answers some of your questions. We encourage you to stay in touch. You are most welcome at St. Paul’s Church!

Being a confirmed member of St. Paul’s allows you to vote on matters of the parish at our annual meeting and run for leadership roles. You do not have to be confirmed or a member to join every other facet of our life together. Plenty of parishioners choose to participate as active non-members of this beloved community!

Are you already confirmed in the Episcopal church? Contact Carly Woodfin to arrange a letter of transfer.