"Via Media," meaning "Middle Way" describes a primary value of the Episcopal Church to provide a space in which people of widely differing opinions, histories, and practices may find a home. The Episcopal Church strives to create a community in which differences enrich one another.
We hope you find the information below helpful in understanding our beliefs, our liturgy and how individuals like yourself fit into the work and purpose of the larger church.
People
Within the Episcopal Church all people are ministers. Some are called into special ministry positions to which they are "ordained." These are deacons, priests, and bishops who are together called "clergy." All others are called "lay people." All participate in the work of the church and all participate in its governance. Their special functions are described in the Catechism.
The service of Holy Baptism ends with the following:
Celebrant: Let us welcome the newly baptized.
Celebrant and People: We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
These words are a reminder that "the people" are sanctified participants.
Belief
Episcopalians believe in a Trinitarian God, which means a God of creation, redemption, and constant presence and love. This belief is stated in forms called Creeds that are said together at worship services.
We believe that the church is Christ living and visible in the world. This does not mean that any group is perfect. In fact, belonging to a church is an exercise in patience, forbearance, and love. But at every baptism, all the people are asked again to renew their own baptismal covenant. One of the questions is "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers?" We believe that we are called to continue practices that date back to Jesus.
For more information on belief see the Catechism of the Episcopal Church.
Liturgy
Episcopalians are "liturgical," meaning we worship using a set of texts, which are found in the Book of Common Prayer. At St. Stephen's we make this as easy as possible by including the entire text of the service in the bulletin of each service -- you won't juggle books! Not only will you know what to expect at each service, but in the Episcopal church, the words for the service are in the hands of the people.
Our services tell a story and act it out. For instance, at every Eucharist celebration the people act out the Gospel story of the Last Supper, eating a piece of bread and taking a sip of wine because Jesus told us to do so, in remembrance of him. Similarly, the baptism of Jesus began for Christians a rite of acceptance that makes use of the symbolism of water.
Because the liturgy draws into the story through the use of all senses, our services are beautiful, dignified, and yet, invariably human. Do not be afraid of "making a mistake." Again, the service bulletin provides the words you will need.
Place
Episcopalians can and do worship God in all manner of places because the place itself is not important to the validity of the liturgy. At the same time, places can have meaning and reflect the personality of the people who gather there. They can also help or hinder an understanding of what occurs there.
Essential to every Episcopal place of worship is the altar table around which (or before which) the people gather. The flow of the service may move away from the altar in various directions for readings and preaching but it centers on the table, which for Episcopalians is the table of the Lord's Supper.
At St. Stephen's you will find we like to worship in several different spaces, including outside.
Glossary of Episcopal Terms
