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About The Emmanuel Episcopal Church
The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is the Visible Body of Christ upon earth. The Episcopal Church (TEC),
the first independent, Anglican branch separated from the Church of England (C of E) in 1787. The C of E became
independent from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation of the 16th century which broke the Western Church from
the control of the Pope, Bishop of Rome, in several nations of Europe.
TEC maintain the ancient biblical polity that local bishop of each diocese (a geographic region) is the spiritual leader
and authority of congregations in the diocese. The bishops along with priests, deacons and lay delegates govern TEC as
elected representatives of the congregations and their members at diocesan conventions and the triennial General
Convention. A Primate, the Presiding Bishop, is the titular head of TEC and is one of the many primates of the Anglican
Communion representing 70 million anglicans worldwide. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the visible sign of all the
daughter churches of the C of E.
We have maintained unbroken succession for the ordination of clergy through the centuries in what is called the
Apostolic Succession. This assures that our sacraments are valid and according to the command of Jesus Christ. We
hold to the seven sacraments, the primary necessary for salvation being Baptism and Holy Communion.
Our interpretation of the Bible is progressive, scholarly, and open to a variety of opinions. Our ethical and moral
stance on contemporary issues allows for a wide range of viewpoints held among the membership with respect, diversity,
and a common bond through our worship.
Our worship is governed by the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), first compiled in 1549 and revised most recently in 1979.
The BCP, the Bible and the Hymnal 1982 are our primarily sources for worship and the sacraments. Ongoing revision and
additions are found in supplemental texts authorized by General Convention or from other Churches of the Anglican
Communion. Each congregation develops a tradition which externally may vary widely according to history, location, leadership and
resources. But all are connected through the bishop of the diocese and the historic BCP, Bible and the General
Convention.
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