Frequently Asked Questions
- Am I welcome at any worship service?
- Do I have to announce myself to the clergy before going up for communion?
- Can I pledge online?
- How can I volunteer?
- Who was St. Mark?
- Why does the winged lion represent him?
- Why do we say that St. Mark's is both Evangelical and Catholic?
- What is a "free church"?
- What is the Holy Eucharist?
- What is a "sacrament"?
- How does one become part of the Church?
- What is an "open" communion?
- What does "liturgy" mean?
- What is the "Lectionary"?
- What do you mean by Rite I and Rite II?
- Is there such a thing as formal membership at St. Mark's?
- What is a Vestry?
- What is a Diocesan Delegate?
Am I welcome at any worship service?
Yes, everyone, of any age, is
welcome at any and all of our worship services.
Please refer the our Worship page for more information about the services and
schedule.
Do I have to announce myself to the clergy before going up for communion?
No, you do not need to announce yourself or meet the clergy before comming to communion. See "open" communion below.
Can I pledge online?
Yes, St. Mark's uses the services of
PayPalTM.
Please refer to our
Stewardship &
Pledging page for detailed instructions.
How can I volunteer?
There are many ways to
volunteer
at St. Mark's. Please take a look at our list of
Outreach Projects.
If you would like to participate in the service
itself, as a reader, an usher, an acolyte, on the
altar guild, as a
musician or singer, or in some other way, please
contact the appropriate group leader or coordinator.
See our Contact Us page
for more information.
Who was St. Mark?
St. Mark was one of the four
Evangelists, along with Matthew, Luke, and John.
Why does the winged lion represent him?
Traditionally, it is said that the
winged lion is chosen for Mark because his gospel
speaks of the royal dignity of Jesus Christ, and
because he begins his account of St. John the
Baptist with the voice of one crying in the wilderness (like a roaring lion).
[Read more...]
Why do we say that St. Mark's is both Evangelical and Catholic?
The cornerstone of Anglicanism is often described
as the "three-legged stool" of Scripture, Tradition,
and Reason. These refer to the healthy mix of three
great traditions that inform our thinking:
Evangelical, Catholic, and Liberal.
We are Evangelical in that we find ourselves
centered within the "Biblical Tradition" -- centered
in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are "Catholic" in
that we find ourselves centered within the Catholic
Tradition -- the Great Traditions of Historic
Christianity, sometimes called "Orthodox
Christianity." We are Liberal in that we are a
"broad" church rather than a narrowly-focused one.
That is, we are both high and low, evangelical and
catholic. We encompass a wide range of worship
preferences and do not require members to hold the
same values, practices or ideas. (As St Paul wrote
about differences in doctrine, "let each one be
fully convinced in one's own mind.")
Please note that "Catholic" and "Evangelical" are
historic terms with specific theological meaning.
Although some may erroneously assume that "Catholic"
refers to "Roman Catholic," or that "Evangelical"
refers to "Evangelical Protestant" or
"proselytizers," or that "Liberal" refers to a
particular political or social ideology, we continue
to use appropriate, historic, theological terms
because they remain the best terms.
What is a "free church"?
In the 1800's, when St. Mark's was
founded, the term "free church" meant that there was
no pew rent, the major source of funding for
congregations in those days, and that all were
welcome to sit anywhere they wished. Establishing a
"free church" was a bold move a century and a half
ago. Two great advantages of the "free church" are
these: First, it more easily opens the door to
discovering that a congregation aspires to become an
inviting community rather than a mere purveyor of
services to religious consumers. Second, it more
easily opens the door to discovering the theology
and spirituality of stewardship, which in turn helps
us become more conscious and intentional disciples.
What is the Holy Eucharist?
The Holy Eucharist is our principal
service of public worship. It has two movements: The
Word of God, in which we read and reflect on
Scripture, and the Holy Communion, in which we
celebrate the Lord's Supper. We come together around
the Lord's table (the altar) in thanksgiving, to
share in Christ's body and blood (the bread and
wine). Jesus shared this with his disciples before
his death on the cross, and it is the means by which
we share in the mystery - and the hope - of his
death and resurrection. This spiritual food (the
sacramental meal) gives us the strength and courage
we need to carry God's love into the world in our
daily lives.
What is a "sacrament"?
Episcopalians take part in certain regular acts
of worship called sacraments, in which we realize
the mystery of Christ's presence and his divine love
through the use of common, earthly substances (such
as bread, wine, water, oil). The two principle
sacraments for Episcopalians are Baptism and Holy
Communion. The other five sacraments in which we
share are Confirmation (the mature affirmation of
one's faith), Ordination to Holy Orders, Marriage,
Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick.
Sacraments are often called "outward and visible
signs of an inward and spiritual grace." This
reflects the Christian understanding that through
the sacraments, which are freely given to us by God,
our sins are forgiven, our minds are enlightened,
our hearts stirred and our wills strengthened.
How does one become part of the Church?
There are three ways to answer this. One way to
answer this is to use discipleship language. The New
Testament describes Jesus calling us become faithful
followers of Jesus (that is, to become disciples).
In other words, all faithful followers of Jesus are
part of the Church.
A second way to answer this is to use mystical
language. The New Testament describes those who are
one with Christ (or in Christ, alive in Christ,
regenerate, quickened by the Spirit, walking in the
light, etc.) as the Church.
A third way to answer this is in liturgical or
sacramental language. The Church are those who are
baptized into Christ. To be baptized means that one
has become a disciple of Jesus, or is in Jesus.
(Parents or other sponsors may make vows of
discipleship on behalf of those who are not old
enough to make their own commitment to become
disciples. We baptize them "provisionally," as it
were, expecting them to express their own vows of
faithful discipleship when they mature. As our
Prayer Book states:
In the course of their Christian
development, those baptized at an early age are
expected, when they are ready and have been duly
prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of
their faith and commitment to the responsibilities
of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of
hands by the bishop.
Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with
laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to
make a public affirmation of their faith and
commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism
in the presence of a bishop and to receive the
laying on of hands.
-- BCP p 412
What is an "open" communion?
"Closed communion" refers to the
practice of some churches or denominations to
exclude from communion those who are not part of
their church or denomination. "Open communion"
refers to the practice of welcoming all Christians
to the table. At St Mark's we say, "Jesus invites
all people to trust him, to follow him, and to be in
communion with him and all other Christians. You are
not required to be an Episcopalian or a member of
this congregation to share in our celebration of the
Eucharist." This reflects our understanding that it
is indeed the Lord's Table at which we are
celebrating, and that we are here at the invitation
of Jesus. We cannot imagine how anyone would dare
exclude faithful Christian brothers from the Lord's
Table, regardless of the church or denomination to
which they belong.
What does "liturgy" mean?
Meaning literally "the work of the
people," the word liturgy refers to the structure,
language and order of various worship services. The
principal liturgies of the Episcopal Church are
found in the
Book of
Common Prayer, and include Morning, Noon and
Evening Prayer, Compline, Holy Baptism, Holy
Eucharist, Confirmation, Celebration and Blessing of
a Marriage, Reconciliation of a Penitent, Burial of
the Dead, and a number of additional liturgies for
special days and occasions. A number of alternative
liturgies approved for use in the Episcopal Church
since 1979 have been published under separate cover
as the
Book of Occasional Services,
Enriching Our Worship I, and
Enriching Our Worship II.
What is the "Lectionary?
A Lectionary is a table of readings from
Scripture appointed to be read at public worship.
The association of particular texts with specific
days began in the 4th century. The Lectionary [1969,
revised 1981] developed by the Roman Catholic Church
after Vatican II provided for a three-year cycle of
Sunday readings. This Roman lectionary provided the
basis for lectionary in The Book of Common Prayer
1979 as well as those developed by many other
denominations.
The Common Lectionary, published in 1983, was an
ecumenical project of several American and Canadian
denominations, developed out of a concern for the
unity of the Church and a desire for a common
experience of Scripture. It was intended as a
harmonization of the many different denominational
approaches to the three-year lectionary. It has been
in trial use in the Episcopal Church and among the
member denominations since 1983.
The Revised Common Lectionary, published in 1992,
takes into account constructive criticism of the
Common Lectionary based on the evaluation of its
trial use and like the current prayer-book
lectionary is a three-year cycle of Sunday
Eucharistic readings in which Matthew, Mark and Luke
are read in successive years with some material from
John read in each year.
Both the Lectionary in The Book of
Common Prayer 1979 and the Revised Common Lectionary
can be found
online.
What do you mean by Rite I and Rite II?
The 1979 Book of Common Prayer has
two "styles" or "rites" of liturgical worship. Rite
I liturgies use the more traditional language of the
1928 Book of Common Prayer, focus theologically
on our individual sin and its forgiveness through
the atoning death of Jesus Christ, and thus express
a more penitential tone. Rite II liturgies use more
contemporary language, tend to be more celebratory,
or joyful, in tone, and tend to include a greater
range of Christian theological themes in addition to
the atonement in Christ: These themes include
spiritual renewal, service and ministry, corporate
sanctification, the coming, climatic return of Jesus
Christ, and others. While Rite I tends more to
highlight God's call to repentance from sin, Rite II
tends more to highlight God's call to discipleship.
Is there such a thing as formal membership at St. Mark's?
While the life and ministry of St.
Mark's are open to all, voting at our Annual Parish
Meeting is governed by our bylaws. If you would like
to become a full, voting member of St. Mark's, you
must be baptized, a participant in worship and
giving, and at least 16 years of age. We must have a
record of your baptism on our books. To find out how
to transfer your baptismal records to St. Mark's, or
if you don't know how to find your records, contact
the Parish office at 301/854-2304.
What is a Vestry?
The Vestry is the governing body of
an Episcopal Church, elected by the people of the
Parish to lead the Parish. At St. Mark's, our vestry
is made up of nine Parish members. Vestry meetings
include our officers: the Senior and Junior Wardens
(similar to President and Vice President),
Treasurer, and Registrar, and Rector, who presides
at meetings. Vestry are elected at the Annual Parish
Meeting held in April (near in time to the Feast of
St Mark). Vestry serve three-year terms of office.
Regular Vestry meetings are open to all. All
parishioners are welcome to attend the meetings,
which are held on the third Tuesday of the month
beginning at 7:30 pm. Also, you are encouraged to
speak with any of the Vestry members about your
ideas for St. Mark's.
What is a Diocesan Delegate?
Diocesan Delegates represent our
parish at all Diocesan Conventions and Regional
Meetings. Delegates advise the Vestry and Parish of
all resolutions to be taken up at each Convention,
seek advice from the Vestry and Parish as to
positions that might be taken, and report back to us
after the Convention. Delegates are elected by the
Parish membership at the Annual Meeting held in
April.
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