Parish Membership

MEMBERSHIP BY BAPTISM

The doors of St. Mark’s are open to all who wish to take part in the Church’s praises and prayers, and to hear the Word preached. By Christ’s command, and in accord with the Church’s tradition, Baptism in water and in the Name of the Holy Trinity, together with profession of Faith, is required for Salvation (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16; John 3:5), and for admission to membership in the Church, and to all other Sacraments.

BAPTISM OF ADULTS

Baptism is administered to adolescents and adults who profess the Christian faith and are prepared to make the vows of Baptism, normally after instruction in them.  Baptism may happen during the Sunday service, or at other times, as determined by the Rector in consultation with the candidate for baptism.

CONFIRMATION & ADMISSION TO COMMUNION

In the Anglican tradition, Confirmation (administered by a bishop in historic succession) follows Baptism, and only those who are confirmed, or ready and desirous of being confirmed, are admitted to Communion.  When adolescents or adults come to St. Mark’s already baptized and admitted to Communion in another church with a different tradition, they may continue to receive the sacrament, but are encouraged to seek Confirmation.  No one, however, may be admitted to Communion without having first received Baptism. Instruction of children and adults prior to Confirmation should be arranged with the Rector. The bishop’s annual visit (for Confirmation) takes place annually in the Spring (sometime after Easter Sunday).

TRANSFERRING MEMBERSHIP

Baptized persons seeking to transfer membership from another church to St. Mark’s must supply proof of Baptism, and (if they have received it) of Confirmation by a bishop in historic succession.  This may be done by a Letter of transfer or by a baptismal certificate, or other reasonable evidence.  In doubtful cases, when Baptism cannot be determined, conditional re-baptism may be administered.  To ask for a Letter of Transfer, please notify the Church office of the church of your prior membership.

Obligations of Membership

With the privileges of Baptism come obligations, set forth in the vows of Baptism – to renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil; to believe all the articles of the Christian Faith set forth in the Apostles’ Creed; and to keep God’s holy will and commandments.  As members of St. Mark’s Church, this baptismal obligation is lived out in the practice of worship, witness, service, and stewardship.  As the General Thanksgiving says, in gratitude for His grace, we are moved to “show forth [His] praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to [His] service, and walking before [Him] in holiness and righteousness all our days” (1928 Book of Common Prayer, p. 19).

FAITH

We expect all members of St. Mark’s to profess the Christian faith openly, and to seek instruction and encouragement in the Faith by taking part in public worship on Sundays and major holy days; by hearing, reading and “inwardly digesting” the Word of God in Scripture,  or in other books of sound Christian teaching, or by hearing sermons, or by taking part in one of the many classes or study groups that meet on Sundays or weekdays. In the daily recitation of the Creed Christians unite themselves in “the faith once delivered to the saints” and with Christians through the ages.

WORSHIP & STEWARDSHIP

We expect all members not reasonably prevented to take part in public worship on all Sundays and major holy days of the Church’s year, and to receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist at least on Easter, and more frequently as they have opportunity, with repentance, faith, and charity.  In addition, parishioners are strongly encouraged to take part in daily prayer according to the Prayer Book and Bible, either here in the church, or privately.

Integral to our offering of ourselves in worship is the faithful stewardship of all the goods which God has entrusted to our use, both material and spiritual, for the promotion of God’s glory and the benefit of the Church and people of God. We expect all members to give money generously, sacrificially, and in proportion to their means (Deuteronomy 16:17). We also ask that Christians remember the Church in their will and in other forms of long-range financial planning.

WITNESS & SERVICE

The counterpart of Worship is Witness – the witness we make in word and deed, “not only with our lips but in our lives” by our service of others.  Because God has in Christ has loved us, we are set free from anxious self-concern, for the service of others in love.   The primary locus of service is in and through the fellowship of believers in the Church, but it includes both those near to us (family, friends, employees, employers), and those who are not near – especially anyone in special need.  Accordingly we expect members to build relationships with one another, to serve one another in love, to offer their time and talents in the service of the Church, and in their station in life to serve others in accordance with God’s will.

We also expect members to bear witness to God by their holiness of life, in conformity to the Ten Commandments, as interpreted by the teaching and example of Christ and his saints.  As flawed and fallible human beings, we will fall short in our obedience, and so the Christian life is one of continual repentance, and ever-deepening gratitude for the grace that freely forgives and restores believers.  The clergy are available to provide spiritual counsel and the benefit of particular absolution, for those whose consciences are troubled in any way.