We don’t have all the answers…
Our catechism, an “outline of the faith,” is constructed as a series of questions and answers, but its authors tell us that it “is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practice.”
We never stop asking questions. We have doubts. We challenge our tradition, our assumptions, and ourselves.
We invite you to ask your questions, to explore your doubts, to challenge us, and to challenge yourself.
We are all questioning together, with reason, creativity, and love.
… but we can answer some frequently asked questions.
Why attend church?
Do churches matter anymore? Aren’t churches dying?
“We pray together, we take communion together, and by the time the service is concluded, we feel our oneness. The service itself tells us this is true. We are one, the liturgy informs us, because we eat of the same bread, drink the same wine. And afterwards, we gather together for breakfast, share stories, and encourage each other in the work we are doing.
Our participation together moves us from a place of brokenness to a place of wholeness.”
– Greg Garrett, My Church is Not Dying, p. 53
Why the Episcopal Church?
“We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.”
– What We Believe, EpiscopalChurch.org
What does Episcopal mean?
Episcopal is the name of our “branch of the Jesus movement,” or our denomination of Christianity.
The adjective “episcopal" means “concerning a bishop or bishops.”
Our individual churches are led by both clergy (priests and deacons) and laity (the people of the church), under the diocesan (regional) authority of locally elected bishops.
The Episcopal Church in America is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
When describing one of our churches, members of our church, our style of worship, or our particular branch of Christianity, you might use either Episcopalian or Anglican.
Are you Protestant or Catholic?
Anglicanism offers a via media, or “middle way” between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.
We look to scripture, reason, and tradition as sources of authority in our belief and practice as Christians.
Although we are guided by our local bishops, our Presiding Bishop (the head of the Episcopal Church in the United States), and the Archbishop of Canterbury (the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion), we do not have a pope, nor do we ascribe to the doctrine of papal infallibility. All bishops are elected by a combined assembly of clergy and lay delegates.
Our individual churches are typically governed by the rector (an ordained priest) and an elected body of lay leaders (the Vestry).
Our worship services are often described as a blend of both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions. The particular balance of that blend can vary widely from community to community!
Why St. Michael’s?
“St. Michael’s is like a tree, rooted in the liturgical tradition of the Episcopal Church. Up from those roots comes the strong trunk, St. Michael’s with rings of growth (300 years and counting) covered with the textured bark of the Episcopal Church. And from that trunk are the countless branches of the faithful who live in the world, weathering the sun and rains of life, who ripple in the breezes, who change and grow with the seasons. We all experience life—and sustain our faith—differently but we all find our sustenance through our connection to the tree, because we are a part of this tree and a part of each other. The patterns of our branches indicates the many different ways we experience our faith. The shelter of our leaves provides respite for our community.”
– Annette Nicolas, member of St. Michael’s
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Marblehead seeks transformation in God's grace by worshipping God in prayer, song, and study; loving and serving our neighbor in and outside our parish Community; and being good stewards of God's creation.
We strive to be a Mission-driven Episcopal congregation that is widely recognized as a vibrant, open, and inviting community, known for liturgically-centered worship and music, for lifelong learning, for pastoral presence and service to communities near and far, for good stewardship of our resources, and for celebration of our legacy as an historic church.
Where do I start?
Come and see for yourself.
Show up and sit in a pew!
If this is your first time at an Episcopal service (or any church service at all), or if you are just someone who likes to have some context before you try something new, you can click here for a description of what you can expect when you visit. Not required reading - feel free to skim it!
Want to talk to someone first?
We’d love to connect with you - click here to reach out.
Can I or my child be baptized at St. Michael’s?
You and/or your family are absolutely welcome at St. Michael’s—no exceptions! The priest would love to have a conversation with you and what baptism might mean to you and/or your family.
Although infant baptism is most common in the Episcopal Church, we warmly welcome all those of any age who would like to learn more about being baptized.
Can we get married at St. Michael’s?
St. Michael’s is available for weddings, both those officiated by our priest as well by other officiants of your choice. We offer premarital counseling, and the church can assist with altar flowers and music. The parish hall is also available for rental.
All couples, regardless of religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity, are warmly invited to reach out and start a conversation about how St. Michael’s can support you as you prepare for marriage.
What do you have to offer me and/or my family while juggling a busy schedule?
Whether you are balancing your own demanding professional and social obligations, or figuring out how to get kids between school, sports, and service hours, we all know the feeling of wishing there were more hours in the day.
St. Michael’s can’t make more time, but the time you spend with us is the time you choose, for the reasons you choose. Whether it’s the one hour in the week where you can sit together as a family during a Sunday service, or the hour you take for yourself in communal contemplative prayer, we can offer solace. Whether it’s finding a way to serve the vulnerable while making new friends, or connecting with other families who want to raise their children in community, we can offer strength.
We are an established community with the resources and the desire to care for one another throughout the uncertainty of life. If you are seeking to give and receive love and support, if you seeking community and connection, if you are seeking companions along the way, we want to welcome you, learn more about you, and help you find your home.