About
the Episcopal Church
St. Philip's
in the Hills is part of the Protestant Episcopal Church USA
which, in turn, is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The word "episcopal" means "of or pertaining to
a bishop." This refers to the basic structure of the Episcopal
Church which centers around regional areas (dioceses), each of
which is led by an elected bishop who oversees the parishes (local
churches) in the diocese. St. Philip's is in the Diocese of
Arizona, led by the Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, Bishop. Part
of the Bishop's regular duties is Confirmation, in which the "laying
on of hands" by the Bishop signifies affirmation of a person's
baptismal covenant. Both confirmation (of the laity) and Ordination
(of the clergy) carry out the practice of "apostolic succession,"
in which each bishop is, symbolically, a successor to the historic
leadership that is linked to Jesus himself.
Each
parish in the Episcopal Church is led by an ordained priest, commonly
referred to as the rector. Other priests may also serve a parish
as associates. In the Episcopal Church the roles of bishop, priest,
and deacon are carried out by both men and women.
Episcopalians
gather together each week for worship, for fellowship and learning,
and to prepare for service in the world.
 Episcopal
belief is rooted in seeking to live with and honor four pathways
to truth:
- Scripture,
- Tradition,
- Reason,
and
- Experience.
This belief
recognizes the inevitable and sometimes disturbing tensions encountered
in seeking to balance these pathways. It recognizes the need to
constantly test one pathway against the other, and to faithfully
"walk and talk" together as a community of seekers,
however varied its beliefs.
At
St. Philip's
The wide
menu of activities, classes, and services at St. Philip's reflects
the diverse nature of Episcopalians, and attests to the strong
bonds which link them together as a community of seekers.
The people
of St. Philip's are, themselves, both diverse and inclusive, in
terms of age, religious background, economic levels, and social
involvement. The ambiance of its campus and of its worship blend
seamlessly with its informality of dress, conversation, learning,
and fellowship. You are invited to come and see!
Some
resources on the Internet:
Episcopal
Church USA (ECUSA)
http://ecusa.anglican.org/
Anglicans
Online
http://www.anglicansonline.org/
a popular source of timely information
The Episcopal
Diocese of Arizona
http://www.episcopal-az.org/
Anglican
Communion (UK)
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
|
