Episcopal Church
Anglican, Mainline Protestant
Date Founded: 1789
Membership/Number of Clergy: 1,951,907/NA as of 2010.
Headquarters: 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Publications: The Episcopal News Service produces online news articles, clergy news, and stories from the Anglican Communion.
Core Beliefs:
The Bible "is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end." "As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, and both our worship and our mission are in Christ’s name. In Jesus, we find that the nature of God is love, and through baptism, we share in his victory over sin and death." The Episcopal Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), Matrimony, Taking of Orders, and Unction. For more information go to https://www.episcopalchurch.org/what-we-believe.
Short History:
There is a very thorough history at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/history-american-church. The Episcopal Church remains part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. In January 2016 at the Primates Meeting in Canterbury, England, the Primates issued a statement about the Episcopal Church's decision to marry gay couples, and to open the offices of the Church to all members regardless of sexual orientation: “It is our unanimous desire to walk together. However given the seriousness of these matters we formally acknowledge this distance by requiring that for a period of three years The Episcopal Church no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity."
Local Churches: There are 19 churches within 10 miles of campus including two in southern IN.
