COMMUNITY

A Church Is Its People

The building, staff, and program are only secondary to the PEOPLE known as St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Evanston.

There are many ways and opportunities of joining this vibrant “body of Christ.” Some people prefer to participate in worship, Eucharist, services, and ministries without officially joining. Others ask us to transfer their letter of membership to this parish. All are welcome.

What is the Episcopal Church?

The Episcopal Church is the Church of England as it developed in the United States. During the American revolution, The Church of England present in the Colonies began to administer itself, although it remained in communication — in Communion — with the mother Church in England itself. For this reason, it is said to be part of the Anglican (that is, of England ) Communion. The Church of England is a Christian church founded on Jesus’ teachings and example of loving God and one another.

The church is the place where the people gather for public worship, prayer, singing and celebration of sacraments (certain rites and symbols indicating God’s gracious presence among us) together; it is also the people themselves, participating in worship, praying, singing and celebrating.

On a technical level, Episcopal means that our church is governed or "overseen" by bishops (from the Greek episcopos, over-seer). Each individual church (or "parish") belongs to a larger governing area called a "diocese," which is overseen by an elected bishop. All the dioceses across the whole country are overseen by a specially elected bishop, called the Presiding Bishop. However, all of the people of the church participate in the running of the business of the church family.

What Do Episcopalians Believe?

Episcopalian beliefs, like Episcopalians themselves, are quite diverse. The standard is the Book of Common Prayer, which contains excerpts of passages from the Bible and various prayers for use in Church (that is, when people gather together for public prayer) and at home (for when a person is alone with God). The Book of Common Prayer also contains several ancient Creeds. A creed is a statement of belief, and these ancient creeds proclaim what the earliest Christians believed to be true.

Included in the Book of Common Prayer, as a complement to the Creeds and Prayers, is a Catechism. A catechism states the beliefs and practice of the Church in a very concise format. It is in the catechism that you may find how Episcopalians view God, Jesus Christ, death, good and evil, and sin. It also explains in a practical fashion what the goal of human life is, and how we may pursue that goal. For a more thorough introduction to the Episcopal Church, see Christopher Webber’s book, “ What Does It Mean to Be Episcopalian?”

On a more day-to-day level, to be Episcopalian means thinking critically about issues which confront everyone — and responding in a particular way. The Episcopal Church is quite diverse, and welcomes people of all backgrounds, allowing them to take on a wide range of responsibilities. The Episcopal Church is not a "dogmatic" Church. Although we maintain rituals common to the Christian Church since its inception, The Episcopal Church is not a "you must follow the rules or else" type of Church.

How to Join

If you were confirmed in the Episcopal church, or have been a member of another Episcopal church, please contact the Church Office to request that your Letter of Membership be transferred here. You will be asked to provide the church name and city, the approximate date of your baptism or confirmation, and/or the approximate dates of your membership at your previous parish.

Members of the church who were baptized as infants may choose to affirm their faith as adults through the rite of confirmation by the Bishop. In addition, those who have been confirmed in other denominations by a bishop in the historic succession (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or Eastern Orthodox) may be received into the Episcopal Church by the Bishop. Those who have been baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church and wish to recommit themselves to the life of faith may choose to reaffirm their baptismal covenant with the Bishop.

Please speak with the clergy if you are interested in being confirmed or received, or wish to reaffirm your baptismal covenant, and particularly if you are uncertain about which of these rites may be appropriate for you.

Pledging

All Christians are called to contribute a portion of their time, talent, and treasure toward the work of the Church. The easiest way to give to St. Matthew’s is to become involved with one of our specific ministries, and to make a financial pledge. Pledging is crucial in enabling St. Matthew’s to plan its ministries in advance; it provides a stable financial base for the support of our programs. Pledging also reflects our prayerful response to God’s call to be good stewards of our material possessions.

Every fall during the Stewardship Campaign, members of St. Matthew’s are asked to make their pledges. Those joining St. Matthew’s during the year can pledge at any time by filling out a pledge card and submitting it to the Church Office or putting it in the offering plate.

Pledges can be paid weekly, monthly, or annually, in cash, or by check. The size of the pledge is less important than your willingness to commit a definite amount towards the support of God’s work in this community. As a pledging member you will receive our periodic newsletter, The Messenger, and you are eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Click here to make your Pledge. info@stmatthewsevanston.org

Your Will

Many of our supporters generously name St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Evanston as a beneficiary in their wills. It’s a convenient and simple way to help sustain our ministry on behalf of future generations. You can give a specific dollar amount, a particular property, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate after providing for your heirs, reducing estate taxes. For more information please call the Church Office at 847-869-4850 or e-mail us at info@stmatthewsevanston.org. Any information you provide will be held in strict confidence.

Life Insurance

Do you have a policy that has outlived its original purpose? With St. Matthew’s as beneficiary, the proceeds will help sustain St. Matthew’s work in the future and may offer immediate tax advantages for you.

For more information please call the Church Office at 847-869-4850 or e-mail us at info@stmatthewsevanston.org. Any information you provide will be held in strict confidence.