Join Us!
No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome here at St. Mary Magdalene. Whether you are new to faith and ready to turn to Jesus as Savior and Lord, coming to the Episcopal Church from another tradition, returning after time away, or looking for a parish to call home, we would be glad to walk with you.
Membership in the Church is about more than signing a book or joining a roster. Membership is about discipleship. It is a response to God’s call to follow Christ as a member of his body, the Church.
Becoming a member is a way of saying, “This is my church home.” It is a journey of belonging, learning, and commitment, rooted in baptism and nurtured through worship, community, and service.
If you are beginning to think about membership, this page is for you. Throughout the year, we periodically offer an Introduction to Episcopal Christianity course to help newcomers learn more about our tradition and the life of St. Mary Magdalene.
Below you will find more information about how to join us here at St. Mary Magdalene.
For those new to the Christian Faith
If you are new to the Christian faith and ready to accept and follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior, we rejoice with you! We are thrilled that you are interested in taking this important step here at St. Mary Magdalene.
The next step is to begin preparing for Holy Baptism. In the waters of baptism, we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection, born into God’s family, the Church, receive the forgiveness of sins, and are given new life in the Holy Spirit.
Preparation for Holy Baptism happens in one of two ways:
For adults and older children:
Preparation happens through the Catechumenate, a season of formal prayer and instruction. During this time, those preparing for Baptism, known as catechumens, participate in regular worship and Christian service and receive instruction in the Christian faith, including the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church. This process culminates in Holy Baptism, ordinarily at the Great Vigil of Easter or on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.
For infants and young children of baptized parents:
Preparation happens through one-on-one conversation with the parish priest. Parents, godparents, and, when appropriate, the child to be baptized meet with the priest for instruction in the meaning of Holy Baptism and the responsibilities of parents and godparents in the Christian upbringing of the baptized child. After this preparation, a Baptism date may be scheduled.
If you are ready to take this step please speak to the parish priest and fill out the Baptismal Registration Form.
For those from other Christian traditions
If you have already been baptized and have been active in another Christian tradition, the path to membership may take a few different forms. Our parish priest would be glad to help you discern which option is right for your situation. No matter which path you take, we encourage you to participate in our Introduction to Episcopal Christianity course.
Recording your baptism:
If you are coming to St. Mary Magdalene as a confirmed member of another province of the Anglican Communion, or from one of our full communion partners, the next step is to have your baptism recorded in the parish register.
Confirmation:
If you were baptized in another tradition but have not been confirmed by a bishop, Confirmation is the next step. Confirmation is a rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation classes are offered periodically in conjunction with the Bishop’s visit to the congregation.
Reception:
If you were baptized and confirmed, or chrismated, in the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, or the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the next step is to renew your commitment to the responsibilities of your baptism and be received into the Episcopal Church by the Bishop during their visit to the congregation.
If you are ready to take any of these steps please talk to the parish priest and fill out the New Member Information Form.
For those transferring from another Episcopal parish
If you are already an Episcopalian and wish to make St. Mary Magdalene your church home, we will request a letter of transfer from your previous parish, after which your membership will be recorded in our parish register.
If you are ready to take this step please fill out the New Member Information Form.
For those returning after time away
For those returning to faith, or to the Church after a significant time away, there are several possible paths your return may take, with differing levels of formality. Our parish priest would be glad to meet with you, hear your story, answer your questions, and help you discern what next step may be most appropriate.
Confirmation:
If you are a baptized Christian who has not been confirmed, and you are returning to church after time away, Confirmation may be an appropriate way to mark this new chapter in your life of faith. Confirmation is a rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation classes are offered periodically in conjunction with the Bishop’s visit to the congregation.
Reaffirmation:
If you are baptized and confirmed, and you are returning after time away, the rite of Reaffirmation may be a meaningful way to formally mark this new chapter in your life of faith. In this rite, administered by the Bishop, you are invited to publicly reaffirm the commitments you made at your baptism and confirmation.
Confession:
If you are returning after a period in which you have fallen away from the Christian faith, or if you are carrying the burden of serious sin, you may find it helpful to make use of the sacramental rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, commonly called Confession. In this rite, you may confess your sins in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Confession is not required, but it is a gift of the Church and is always available for those who desire it.
If any of these situations apply to you, we encourage you to speak to the parish priest. If you are not already a member of the parish please fill out the New Member Information Form.
