Welcome!

Some people come to church because it is a comfortable place to mark important life events such as marriages, births, deaths, and holidays. However, those who participate regularly in parish life discover that church is not so much a place as it is a community of the faithful who gather to worship and to serve others in Christ's name. Clearly, church membership is a personal and corporate commitment that requires careful consideration.

What can you expect?

As a member of the Church of the Epiphany, you can expect:

• To be challenged to grow spiritually and to deepen your relationship with God
• To meet people who share many of your ideas and values during Sunday services, social events and educational or spiritual activities
• Spiritual guidance, education and opportunities for discernment through the Eucharist, small discussion and prayer groups
• Working on joint projects inside the church and in the community with other members
• Children and youth ministries and other age-appropriate activities available for children and adolescents
• That your birthday and wedding anniversary will be recognized
• That other people in the church will pray for your special needs and the needs of your family and friends
• To be invited to participate in various activities
• Weekly opportunities for the Eucharist
• To develop a relationship with at least one of our clergy staff
• Regular communication from Epiphany leadership through letters, the Star newsletter and other means
• The opportunity to elect the leadership during the annual Parish Meeting
• The opportunity to run for a position on the Vestry (our governing board) or serve as a delegate to the annual Diocesan Convention
• To participate in Diocesan and national Church life.

What is expected of you?

As members of the Church of the Epiphany, we ask:

• Your active participation in our common life, including regular worship, service to others, deepening your     spiritual life and contributing to the common good.

•  Stewardship - the  wise use of your time, talent and financial resources. 

                  Time & Talent: In addition to regular attendance at Sunday services, we recommend that you be involved                   in at least one of the ministries in the church. For many of us, time is the most precious commodity of all.

                  There are many opportunities (large and small) to share your God-given abilities through our parish                      ministries. There's bound to be one just right for you!  

                  Treasure:

                    Ordinary giving is an individual's or household's commitment to contribute to parish life with an annual                           pledge of financial support. Epiphany's membership funds our ministries almost entirely through                            annual pledges. We receive funds from the diocese only under special circumstances. (in fact,                                    we make a financial contribution to support the diocese in its work.) When we realize that all we                                   have and all that we are comes from a loving and gracious God, it simply makes sense to                                    respond to that generosity with a proportional offering from those resources to further God's work.

                    Extraordinary giving supports special projects both inside and outside the parish. Past appeals                                have funded repairs to the roof and parking lot, and hurricane reflief through Episcopal Relief &                                  Development.

                    Planned gifts are made by parishioners of all ages and walks of life who choose to support the                               ministry of this parish even after their deaths.

Do you have questions?

Our clergy are happy to answer your questions, in person, by phone or email. You can also join a group of information seekers in Conversations by the Water  which isn't so much a class as it is a series of discussions about anything participants want to know about being an Episcopalian at Epiphany. In Conversations, participants explore the history and meaning of our Christian traditions, talk openly about commitment to the Christian Faith and the Church of the Epiphany and discuss the requirements of membership. The best part about Conversations is that there are no stupid questions.

......about membership procedures?

Consistent with the canons (laws) of The Episcopal Church, specific membership requirements are:

1. Holy Baptism in the name of the Trinity, recorded in the parish
2. Regular participation in Worship
3. Giving from one's time and talent for the ministry of Christ's Church
4. Making a financial Pledge each year for the work of Christ's Church and Mission, and
5. Intention to Grow in Christian spiritual life and service.

If you or a member of your household wish to be baptized, please speak with the Rector to arrange times for preparation and to select the Sunday most appropriate for your circumstances . Holy Baptism is offered on six occasions every year: The Baptism of Christ (usually the second Sunday in January), Easter Eve and Day, Pentecost, one summer Sunday, the Sunday after All Saints', and the Bishop's Annual Visitation.

If you are already a baptized or confirmed Episcopalian, contact the Rector or Parish Secretary to obtain a form requesting the transfer of membership from your last Episcopal parish to Epiphany. That's all there is to it!

Join Us !

The church exists because God calls us to worship both privately and in community. Community gives us both a venue for worship and the means to practice our Christianity with other people.

Does Epiphany sound like the kind of place where you and your household could be happy, make friends, learn and grow in your understanding of each other and God's love? We hope it does. We also pray that you will choose to stay and help Epiphany be an even brighter light to the world.

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We'd like to thank the Church of the Epiphany , San Carlos, California for generously sharing their website information.