How to Join St. Paul’s Church

Why join St. Paul’s, or any parish church? If you have been worshipping with us, and feel that this may be a good church home for you - one in which you both feel comfortable and also challenged and supported to grow - you may wish to consider joining us as a member of St. Paul’s. We hope you will.

Joining St. Paul’s is a way to deepen your commitment to your spiritual growth, to have a community of support and encouragement as you “work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God,” and to be part of a community that gathers every week for prayer and praise, a community that celebrates worship together in joyous times and supports one another in sad times: a place to belong. 

To become a member of St. Paul’s, first come worship with us. See what you think, how you feel, and if you find our way of worship draws you closer to God. Our worship is our offering of ourselves to God, our response of thanksgiving and praise to God. See if our worship allows you to participate in the mystery of being part of something Holy, something larger than yourself, and something that calls you to become the person God intends you to be.

Depending on your church background, or if this is the first time you’re exploring any church background, we will try to introduce you to our church in a way that will meet your background and experience. 

Some common starting points:

• Baptism is the rite by which all people become members of the Church - the Church that exists throughout the world - not just St. Paul’s. If you have never been baptized, please let us know. We are always happy to help anyone prepare for and receive Holy Baptism, as it is a great honor to baptize anyone, adult or child. Being baptized makes you a Christian, and a baptized member of St. Paul’s Church.
  
  
• If you have been baptized in another Christian denomination, you can be welcomed as a baptized member of St. Paul’s first, and then be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church at a later date. Every year we offer adult inquirers’ classes for people seeking to learn more about the Episcopal Church. Five times a year we also have a rite of welcoming of new members of St. Paul’s, in which we publicly welcome all who have joined St. Paul’s since the last time of welcoming. This rite allows us to welcome you, introduce you to the parish, and involves your statement of intention to become a part of this parish, and the promise of the parish to support you in your life with us in the parish.
  
  
• If you are a baptized and confirmed (or received) member of another Episcopal parish, you can have your former parish send a Letter of Transfer to St. Paul’s Church. According to canon law of the Episcopal Church, you become a member of the parish by participating in the Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s. We also formally welcome new members by Letter of Transfer five times a year during our worship services.

All members of St. Paul’s are asked to make a pledge to support St. Paul's Episcopal Church with gifts of time, talent and financial offerings.

We welcome your inquiries regarding membership at St. Paul’s Church.  We would love to welcome you as new members of our parish.