What We Believe
We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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.
Full Communion Partners
The Episcopal Church shares in full communion with many other church bodies across the world. While everyone is equally welcome to participate in our ministry, we note that members of these partner churches may feel a particular affinity for our theology and practice. For more information about our full communion partners, click here.
Anglican Communion
The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, made up of 42 provinces representing churches in 165 countries. We are held together through four Instruments of Unity, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, and our Anglican heritage originating in the English Reformation.
Lutheran Partners
The Episcopal Church has been in a full communion agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) since 2008. We are also in full communion with Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Church of Sweden.
Other Partners
We are in full communion with Moravians and Old Catholics.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed is the statement of our beliefs that we recite at baptism.