DIGGING DEEPER

We are a parish of the Diocese of The Eastern United States (DEUS) in the Anglican Province of America, a part of the historic Holy Catholic Church, tracing its teachings and ministry to the early Apostolic Church. It is a part of the worldwide Continuing Traditional Anglican Movement. 

In our worship, we use the Book of Common Prayer, 1928 edition. This edition contains prayers and affirmations of faith dating to the beginning of Christianity and the traditional Anglican / Episcopal liturgy. This liturgy has been continuously used since it was first published in 1549.

Parishes actively participate in the service. As an expression of devotion, it is customary to kneel for prayers and while receiving the Holy Communion unless a person is physically unable to do so. We sit to receive instruction as we do when scriptural lessons are read or when a sermon is given. We stand in reverence at the reading of the Holy Gospel and in affirming our faith when reciting the Creed. We also stand to sing praise to God in our hymns.

We adhere to the practice of individuals being confirmed by a Bishop of valid Apostolic Succession before receiving Holy Communion. This is a balance between catholic and reformed teaching and is Scripturally based, partly on St. Paul's words in I Corinthians 11:29, "discerning the Lord's body." We teach and believe that children are covered by Baptismal grace. At the age of discretion, children are given Catechism and Confirmation instruction, after which they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation conferred by a Bishop and their “first communion.”