New to the Episcopal Church?

At one time, most of us were, too.  We came from various backgrounds to the “big tent” of the Episcopal Church.  Just as we were welcomed, so are you. 

What We Believe

We believe in the Trinity:  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  And as Jesus, the Son, taught us, we are called to love God and to love our neighbors and all of God’s Creation.

We believe Jesus was the true and only Son of God, sent to live among us, to teach us what God expects of us, and to die on the Cross to save us from our sins.   Just as Jesus was resurrected from death, we believe in Eternal Life.

Setting us apart from some churches, the Episcopal Church’s tenets are based on the three-legged stool:  Scripture, Tradition and Reason.  We believe that, like a three-legged stool, our faith and our understanding is incomplete without all three.

What to Expect at an Episcopal Church

We are a traditional, liturgical church.  Our Sunday Bible readings (lectionary) are the same scriptures as other Episcopal churches are reading on any given Sunday.  And our worship services follow a liturgical calendar, including the seasons of the Church and their applicable colors and traditions. 

Liturgical Calendar

We stand, kneel and sit – some call it “pew aerobics.”  The general principle is:  kneel or stand for prayer, stand to sing and to recite the creeds, and sit for readings and instruction.  Or the easiest way, just follow those around you!

What to Expect at Christ Church Parish

Although all Episcopal churches follow the same liturgy, some Episcopal churches are more casual and some more traditional in their rituals and music.  Christ Church is more traditional in our rituals and music.   However, our manner of dress is anything from suits & ties to shorts and sport shirts in the summer.  Honestly, we're more interested in your heart and soul than in what you’re wearing.

Celtic Christmas Concert

We’re social.  We have lots of opportunities to work and talk and laugh together on committee assignments and on a myriad of church projects - our biggest project being the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival.  And we have special luncheons, dinners and socials throughout the year.

The Christ Church tent at the Urbanna Oyster Festival. Yes, lots of work, but fun work. Working together brings lots of laughs, and just as important, we bring in lots of money for our church's many programs and outreach.

Christ Church parishioners are mostly retired professionals and tradespeople who use their years of experience and expertise in support of our beloved Church and wider community.  While our building is historic and our worship is traditional, we encourage fresh, innovative and energetic ideas in maintaining its vitality. 

We welcome all ages and all backgrounds. 

Whether you're from a Christian or non-Christian home, or whether you left the church years ago or have never attended church, you are welcome here.

Like the old Bill Withers song, "We all need somebody to lean on..." God is always here for you and quite often works through those right beside you. It's called a "church family" for good reason. You are welcome to join our family - to help provide strength to others as well as to receive it. To learn as well as to lead.

If you’re a parent, bring your own family to meet ours, and feel free to invite a friend and their children. All are happily welcomed!  

How the Episcopal Church Is Organized

Beginnings

The Episcopal Church was founded by English settlers in America, who started Church of England congregations here.  Following the Revolutionary War and independence from England, those congregations became the Protestant Episcopal Church, and finally in 1821, the churches were incorporated as the Episcopal Church. 

This 1613 Church of England Book of Common Prayer was a predessesor of the Book of Common Prayer we use today. The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer is an amazing compilation of Service rubrics, Psalms and beautiful prayers for nearly every situation in your life, the life of the Church, and in the world.

Episcopal v. Episcopalian

Which word to use for what? The term Episcopalian is a noun and refers to a person who is a member of the Episcopal Church. The term Episcopal is an adjective that describes a church, a bishop, a priest, a book, a tenet, a doctrine, etc. "John is an Episcopalian, but more than that, he's an Episcopal priest."

The Anglican Communion

The Episcopal Church is one of 28 independent churches in 164 countries that make up the Anglican Communion.  The Archbishop of Canterbury is the “point of unity” within the Anglican Communion, which is why the archbishop is included in our prayers. 

The Episcopal Church in the United States

The chief pastor of the Episcopal Church in the United States is the Presiding Bishop. 

Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop

There are 99 Episcopal dioceses in the United States, each headed by a Diocesan Bishop.   Virginia has three (3) dioceses: Diocese of Virginia, Diocese of Southern Virginia, and Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. 

Mark Stevenson, Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia

Christ Church Parish, along with 172 other churches, is in the Diocese of Virginia, the 2nd largest diocese in the United States.  The Rector is the church’s spiritual leader and presiding authority, and the elected Vestry is the legal representative of the church.  The Senior Warden is the support person to the Rector, and the Junior Warden usually has the responsibility of the church property and buildings.

Below are our Christ Church clergy: The Rev. Randi Hicks Rowe (Priest-in-Charge), The Rev. Dr. Robert Prichard (Priest Associate) and The Rev. Peg Moncure (Deacon)

The Rev. Randi Hicks Rowe, Priest-in-Charge

The Rev. Dr. Robert Pritchard, Priest Associate

The Rev. Peg Moncure, Deacon