Membership at St. Mark's:
Membership as a Christian in the Church:
The Episcopal Church recognizes as Christians all persons who have been baptized with water in the name of the Holy Trinity. They are members of the universal Body of Christ, as arms and organs are "members" of a physical body. The Episcopal Church welcomes any baptized person to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Membership in the EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
There are two ways to become a member of the Episcopal Church: by Baptism in an Episcopal congregation or by reception or transfer as a baptized person from another denomination.
Membership in ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
If your Baptism took place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Silver Spring, MD, you are a member of this parish until death or until you have your records transferred to another parish. If your Baptism took place elsewhere ( in any denomination ) you must arrange for your baptism to be recorded in St. Mark's Church register. Then, you are considered a baptized member of this church. You may contact our church office for details on how you can arrange for transfer of this information.
Baptism is the beginning or initiation of a new life with Christ. Through it one becomes a member of the family by being adopted or born into it. If one wishes to be baptized, or have a child baptized, talk to one of the clergy.
Confirmation: It is expected that all adult members of this Church, after appropriate instruction (Inquirer's Class) will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church. Those who have previously made a made a mature public commitment in another Church may be received by the laying of hands by a Bishop of this Church, rather than confirmed.
Inquirer's Class:
If you wish to learn more about the Episcopal Church with the possibility of eventual confirmation or reception as a member in good standing, you can attend a St. Mark's Inquirer's Class. Please see the Rector to find out when the next class will begin.
Because Christians take their baptismal vows and commitments with varying degrees of seriousness and grow in Christ in different ways and at different times of their lives, the Episcopal Church identifies different categories of membership in keeping records.
A Communicant Member is a member who received Holy Communion at least three times a year.
A Communicant Member in Good Standing is a member, who in addition to being enrolled here (as above) has, during the previous year, been faithful in attending corporate worship and praying, working, and giving (financially supporting the ministry at St. Mark's) for the spread of the kingdom of God. Only Communicants in Good Standing are eligible to vote at an Annual Meeting of St. Mark's or serve on the Vestry. Only Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing may serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor or Catechist.
