What does “Anglican” mean?

A: The Episcopal Church is Anglican, with Anglicanism being a theological school with its own emphases. Anglicanism is a broad Christian tradition that blends Catholic and Protestant elements, often described as the "middle way" or via media (see last week's rector's corner). Anglicanism is rooted in the English Reformation but maintains the historic episcopate (bishops) and sacraments. Anglicanism upholds scripture, tradition, and reason as authoritative, upholds a commitment to the Creeds, uses the Book of Common Prayer, and has a diverse, yet unified, approach to faith that welcomes evangelical catholic, and charismatic expressions. To review:

• Scripture, Tradition, Reason: A "three-legged stool" approach, using the Bible as primary but balanced with historical tradition and human reason.

• Via Media (Middle Way): A distinctive path between Roman Catholicism and more radical Protestantism, seeking unity through essential beliefs while allowing for diverse secondary doctrines.

• Catholic Roots & Protestant Reformation: Originated from the Church of England's break with Rome, incorporating reformed theology while retaining Catholic structures like bishops (episcopacy) and sacraments.

• Sacraments: Recognizes Baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist) as central.

• Liturgy: Strong emphasis on structured worship through the Book of Common Prayer,

  emphasizing intentional, thoughtful praise.

  Key Beliefs & Practices

• Trinity: Belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

• Salvation: Acknowledges sin and God's reconciling work through Jesus Christ, with

  salvation understood through faith and good works.

• Ministry: Accepts the threefold ordained ministry (bishops, priests, deacons).

  Unity in Diversity

• Anglicanism fosters a diverse global family (the Anglican Communion) where different

expressions of Christianity (evangelical, charismatic, traditional) can coexist under shared essential doctrines, aiming to be both catholic and evangelical.

The Episcopal Church belongs to the Anglican Communion, which is a global federation of our 40 autonomous churches (provinces) worldwide, united by shared history, traditions, and worship, stemming from the Church of England, with the Archbishop of Canterbury serving as a spiritual focus and leader. It is the third-largest Christian communion globally, with about 85 million members.

Key Characteristics of the Communion:

• Global & Autonomous: Composed of independent national churches (like the Episcopal

  Church) that govern themselves but share common heritage.

• Spiritual Head: The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic head, but holds no formal

  authority over other provinces.

• Shared Heritage: United by loyalty and common doctrines, worship patterns (often from

  the Book of Common Prayer), and sacraments.

• Blend of Traditions: Theology incorporates both Catholic structure (bishops,

  sacraments) and Protestant Reformation principles (Scripture as authoritative).

• Instruments of Communion: Four bodies foster unity: the Archbishop of Canterbury,

  the Lambeth Conference, the Primates' Meeting, and the Anglican Consultative Council.

  Our own Presiding Bishop attends the Lambeth Conference in England and holds the title of "Primate." In essence, the Anglican Communion is a diverse, worldwide family of churches that finds unity in its shared origins and spiritual bonds, rather than a strict international constitution. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, sharing its roots with the Church of England but operating as an autonomous, self-governing body that recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury as a spiritual head, not a direct authority. It connects through shared theology, liturgy (like the Book of Common Prayer), sacraments, and apostolic succession, while being a distinct national church formed after the American Revolution when colonial Anglican clergy sought independence from the British Crown, leading to Scottish bishops ordaining America's first bishops.

  Connections:

• Shared Heritage: The Episcopal Church grew from the Church of England and

  maintains its historical lineage, adhering to similar doctrines and traditions.

• Autonomous Province: It's one of many "sister churches" in the Anglican Communion,

  each governing its own affairs (e.g., Nippon Sei Ko Kai in Japan, Church of Nigeria).

• Spiritual Unity: The Anglican Communion is a voluntary association of these churches,

  united by shared faith, not a strict hierarchical structure.

• Book of Common Prayer: A central text for worship and liturgy, ensuring consistency

  across member churches.

• Apostolic Succession: Belief in the unbroken line of bishops from the Apostles, with the

  Episcopal Church tracing its bishops through the Scottish Episcopal Church after the American Revolution.

  Important Note:

• Independence: While connected, the Episcopal Church (like other provinces) is not

under the direct rule of the Church of England; it's a national church for the U.S., territories, and Taiwan.

Note that divisions and impaired communion sometimes occur over theological issues and can mean that some churches, while claiming Anglican identity, are not in communion with Canterbury or all other provinces and may not belong to the Anglican Communion. To take an example from our own history: when the consecration of the first gay bishop, Eugene Robinson, occurred in the nineties, St. Luke's parish divided theologically. Those who left the Episcopal Church over the issue formed a branch of the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA). ACNA is not a member of the Anglican Communion and is not recognized by that body, despite having the word "Anglican" in its title. To see a list of member churches, visit https:// www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/member-churches.aspx