Membership
There are three ways to become a member of The Parish Church of St. Helena:
Baptism
Membership in the visible Church is bestowed by God’s action through the sacrament of Holy Baptism in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. People of any age may be baptized. If a person has been baptized by water (symbolizing spiritual washing and renewal) in the Name of the Trinity through the ministry of any Christian body, the Episcopal Church recognizes that baptism and does not require, or even permit, rebaptism unless there is strong doubt of earlier baptism.
Confirmation
The word "confirmation" is derived from confirmare, which means "to strengthen." The Rite of Confirmation, the laying of apostolic hands on baptized believers, strengthens persons through the action of the Holy Spirit at the time they assume personal responsibility for their baptismal vows. Confirmed persons do not "join the Church." They joined or, better, "were joined to" the Church in baptism. But now they publicly renew their promises to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord and accept for themselves the responsibility for Christian belief and life previously accepted by others on their behalf. Then through the sacramental action of the laying on of the bishop’s hands, their status as mature and responsible members of the Christian community is signified.
In addition to the Rite of Confirmation for those baptized as children, the Church provides special forms for the bishop to use when admitting to the Episcopal Church persons who were confirmed in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches and for blessing persons who desire to re-affirm their baptismal vows.
To hold office in the Episcopal Church, you must be confirmed.
Letter of Transfer
If you are a member in good standing of another Christian church, a letter of transfer request form may be obtained in the office and sent to your former church.
Information collated from The Episcopal Church: Essential Facts.