We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world. We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
Our worship is shaped by the way we pray together.
In the Episcopal Church it is often said that "praying shapes believing." Worship is central to the life of our church. Worship is designed using the rich treasury of resources contained in The Book of Common Prayer, the Hymnal, and Renewal music. Through prayer and song we seek to glorify God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our beliefs are shaped by the "three legged stool" of reason, scripture and tradition. We may not have all the answers, but we welcome all your questions. That's because we believe we all have something more to learn from one another and always more to learn about ourselves, our world, and our God. At Spirit of the Desert we do not ask you to check your mind at the door. Our ability to reason is a gift from God. Come and grow in understanding through silent meditation or group discussion. Come and learn more about two thousand years of church history. Come and learn every day to better understand God's presence in our lives.
We are part of the Anglican Communion.
As part of the Diocese of Utah and the Episcopal Church, we share in the heritage of the world-wide Anglican Communion. We are a community of Christians guided by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, as we seek to interpret our ancient faith in the modern world. The Episcopal Church has historically been characterized by liturgy and a generous latitude of theological interpretation. We use the Book of Common Prayer, two-thirds of which is taken from Scripture. In the sacraments, we look for outward and physical signs of inward, spiritual realities. We proclaim the Nicene Creed and other ancient creeds of the church as symbols of our orthodox faith, and our continuity with Christ throughout the ages.
We follow the "middle way."
The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ. Anglicanism reflects balance in its devotion to scripture, tradition, and reason as sources of authority.
We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world. We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
Our worship is shaped by the way we pray together.
In the Episcopal Church it is often said that "praying shapes believing." Worship is central to the life of our church. Worship is designed using the rich treasury of resources contained in The Book of Common Prayer, the Hymnal, and Renewal music. Through prayer and song we seek to glorify God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our beliefs are shaped by the "three legged stool" of reason, scripture and tradition. We may not have all the answers, but we welcome all your questions. That's because we believe we all have something more to learn from one another and always more to learn about ourselves, our world, and our God. At Spirit of the Desert we do not ask you to check your mind at the door. Our ability to reason is a gift from God. Come and grow in understanding through silent meditation or group discussion. Come and learn more about two thousand years of church history. Come and learn every day to better understand God's presence in our lives.
We are part of the Anglican Communion.
As part of the Diocese of Utah and the Episcopal Church, we share in the heritage of the world-wide Anglican Communion. We are a community of Christians guided by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, as we seek to interpret our ancient faith in the modern world. The Episcopal Church has historically been characterized by liturgy and a generous latitude of theological interpretation. We use the Book of Common Prayer, two-thirds of which is taken from Scripture. In the sacraments, we look for outward and physical signs of inward, spiritual realities. We proclaim the Nicene Creed and other ancient creeds of the church as symbols of our orthodox faith, and our continuity with Christ throughout the ages.
We follow the "middle way."
The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ. Anglicanism reflects balance in its devotion to scripture, tradition, and reason as sources of authority.
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Scripture.
The Bible is like a small library containing a vast array of material. In the Hebrew Scriptures there are thirty-nine books with the story of creation, the histories, ritual, poetry, songs, wisdom, and prophets of the people of Israel. Given a piece of scripture’s historical context, how do we translate that context and meaning in today’s world?” The saying “sola scriptura” (Latin meaning “by scripture alone”), is not part of the Anglican way. The Church reads scripture through the lenses of the Fathers and Mothers of our faith and the gift of reason. |
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Reason.
Reason is the knowledge and wisdom that God gives us to help us better understand his will for us as his people. Reason, guided by the Holy Spirit, should always direct the people of God to what is true, just, fair and sensible. As Lewis Garnesworthy, a former Archbishop of Toronto, used to like to say, “To become an Anglican doesn’t mean you have to leave your brains at the church door.” Reason encourages us to use the brilliant minds God has given us with all their skill in science, research and the exploration of our universe. One of the three sources of authority in Anglicanism, along with scripture and tradition, reason interprets scripture and tradition and allows itself to be corrected and enlarged by them.
Reason is the knowledge and wisdom that God gives us to help us better understand his will for us as his people. Reason, guided by the Holy Spirit, should always direct the people of God to what is true, just, fair and sensible. As Lewis Garnesworthy, a former Archbishop of Toronto, used to like to say, “To become an Anglican doesn’t mean you have to leave your brains at the church door.” Reason encourages us to use the brilliant minds God has given us with all their skill in science, research and the exploration of our universe. One of the three sources of authority in Anglicanism, along with scripture and tradition, reason interprets scripture and tradition and allows itself to be corrected and enlarged by them.
Tradition.
As Anglican Christians, we are inheritors of the ancient Jewish traditions and are part of a living faith that goes back two-thousand years to the early Church, to the Apostles and to Jesus of Nazareth himself. Tradition is the collective experience of those ancient people of faith that we have received in our day. Tradition comes from the Latin verb meaning "to pass from one hand to another”. We cherish and receive from the hands of past Christians the wisdom and customs that evolved from their experiences of the living God. In the theology of the Episcopal Church, sacred scripture is the written part of a larger tradition, recording the community's experience of God. Hence, the Bible must be interpreted within the context of sacred tradition and within the community of the church. Sacred tradition, like sacred scripture, is "inspired" in that it contains and communicates the truths of faith that God intended to make known for mankind's salvation.
As Anglican Christians, we are inheritors of the ancient Jewish traditions and are part of a living faith that goes back two-thousand years to the early Church, to the Apostles and to Jesus of Nazareth himself. Tradition is the collective experience of those ancient people of faith that we have received in our day. Tradition comes from the Latin verb meaning "to pass from one hand to another”. We cherish and receive from the hands of past Christians the wisdom and customs that evolved from their experiences of the living God. In the theology of the Episcopal Church, sacred scripture is the written part of a larger tradition, recording the community's experience of God. Hence, the Bible must be interpreted within the context of sacred tradition and within the community of the church. Sacred tradition, like sacred scripture, is "inspired" in that it contains and communicates the truths of faith that God intended to make known for mankind's salvation.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Episcopal 101 Confirmation classes offered on request.
We offer a series of 4 classes for adults and youth who wish to make a public affirmation of their faith by either being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church and for those who wish to reaffirm their faith. The first class focuses on "Anglican Identity" with subsequent classes on Anglican Polity, Anglican History, and the Book of Common Prayer. A detailed syllabus appears below:
Syllabus
Week One:
Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation: Which is right for you?
Confirmation is a mature, public affirmation of your faith, celebrated by the prayers and laying on of hands by our bishop. It is a celebration of your baptism and your desire to live out your faith in the Episcopal Church. If you were baptized as a child (in any denomination) but never confirmed, this rite is for you.
Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in a Christian denomination that has a ritual of confirmation (such as Methodists, Catholics or Lutherans) who wish to join the Episcopal Church.
Reaffirmation of Faith is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church, but in a church other than St. Jude's.
All are welcome to attend any of the classes, but if you wish to be confirmed or received or to reaffirm your faith, you must complete a registration form. To register or ask questions about any aspect of your decision to join the Episcopal Church, contact the Rev. Lee Montgomery at (435) 592-0034-4391, or email: fatherlee.montgomery@gmail.com
Video Resources:
Syllabus
Week One:
- Read “Jesus Was an Episcopalian” Chapters 1-4 (pp. 9-54)
- View “Jesus Was an Episcopalian videos 1-4
- View PowerPoint presentation: “Anglican Identity”
- Read “Jesus Was an Episcopalian” Chapters 5-7 (pp. 55-86)
- View “Jesus Was an Episcopalian videos 5-7
- View PowerPoint presentation: “Anglican Polity”
- Read “Jesus Was an Episcopalian” Chapters 8-10 (pp. 87-118)
- View “Jesus Was an Episcopalian videos 8-11
- View PowerPoint presentation: “Anglican History”
- Read “Jesus Was an Episcopalian” Chapters 11-15 (pp. 119-158)
- View “Jesus Was an Episcopalian videos 12-16
- View PowerPoint presentation: “Book of Common Prayer”
Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation: Which is right for you?
Confirmation is a mature, public affirmation of your faith, celebrated by the prayers and laying on of hands by our bishop. It is a celebration of your baptism and your desire to live out your faith in the Episcopal Church. If you were baptized as a child (in any denomination) but never confirmed, this rite is for you.
Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in a Christian denomination that has a ritual of confirmation (such as Methodists, Catholics or Lutherans) who wish to join the Episcopal Church.
Reaffirmation of Faith is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church, but in a church other than St. Jude's.
All are welcome to attend any of the classes, but if you wish to be confirmed or received or to reaffirm your faith, you must complete a registration form. To register or ask questions about any aspect of your decision to join the Episcopal Church, contact the Rev. Lee Montgomery at (435) 592-0034-4391, or email: fatherlee.montgomery@gmail.com
Video Resources:
Former Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefforts Schori answers the question, "Why should I be an Episcopalian?"