NEW TO THE DIOCESE
WHAT IS A DIOCESE?
In the Diocese of North Carolina, we focus on our five missional priorities: racial reckoning, justice and healing; congregational vitality; formation; collaboration and new communities; and creation care. We welcome everyone and offer special care for those whom the church has hurt or excluded due to their race, sexual orientation or gender identity, age, or past.
What is an Episcopalian?
The mission of the church, as stated in the Book of Common Prayer’s catechism, is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” As part of that mission, The Episcopal Church follows Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationships with God, with each other and with the earth.
The Episcopal Church is one branch of the Anglican Communion, the worldwide network of churches that all derived from the Church of England sometime during the last 500 years. The archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican Communion.
How is The Episcopal Church different from other denominations?
We believe that God loves you–no exceptions.
The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance, which means the people in the pews on Sunday morning take active leadership roles in their churches and the diocese.
Episcopalians talk a lot about the via media, or the middle way. Some people think of us as the center point between Roman Catholics and Protestants (like Lutherans or Methodists) in terms of how we worship and what we believe. We unite ancient traditions with radical welcome for all people, just as they are. We actively work toward racial reckoning, justice and healing, and we care about the environment and our effect on it.
Generally, our church buildings and worship services look traditional, with wooden pews, stained glass and organ music, but you will also find churches in modern buildings full of natural light or worshipping in nontraditional spaces, like a school gymnasium.
Most congregations celebrate the Holy Eucharist, or Communion, every Sunday. Episcopal services follow the Book of Common Prayer, so when we worship together in a local church, we are also saying the same prayers and hearing the same scripture as people all around the world.
Can I come worship with you on Sundays?
You can find a church that is a perfect fit for you using our Find a Church map [link to Find a Church page], where you can browse by location or the ministries–like choir, outreach, Sunday school, opportunities for children and families–that are important to you.
