We welcome you to St. Michael's Church! Come for worship, study and fellowship. Our programs are many and outstanding—music, adult Christian formation, youth and children's Christian education, community outreach, national and global mission, Episcopal Church Women, to name a few. We welcome your involvement and are truly glad the Lord has guided you to St. Michael's.

When you attend church on Sunday mornings, greeters will be right outside the church doors before and after the 9:30 a.m. service (10 a.m. summer service) and prior to the 11:30 a.m. service to answer any questions, help you find your way to adult, youth and children Christian Education classrooms, offer tours of our facilities and share information about the vibrant programs available at St. Michael's. Be sure to pick up a glossy red Visitor's Bag at the Greeter Table. We also invite you to complete a Visitor's Card and place it in the offering plate.

If you have questions please contact Lee Hayden, Director of Newcomer Ministry, at hayden@holymichael.org or 420-6024.

Process for Becoming a Member of St. Michael's

'Making Disciples and Making a Difference' is our diocesan motto, and we take it seriously at this parish. It is with this motto in mind that we have structured our newcomer classes -- with basics on Christianity, the Episcopal Church and St. Michael's.

Should you find that you are not yet ready to become a member of St. Michael's, we still enthusiastically welcome your presence and participation. You are a gift to us from God and we are thankful you have chosen to visit with us.

Becoming a Member

I. TRANSFER BY LETTER – If already an Episcopalian coming from another parish. This would require the following two courses:

1. NEWCOMER ORIENTATION (1 session)

2. INTRODUCTION TO ST. MICHAEL'S (4 sessions)

Once classes are completed, please call Parish Secretary Jean Olson at 782-0731 ext. 112 to ask that your Letter of Transfer be requested from your prior Episcopal church.

II. BAPTISM

Becoming baptised is another way to become a member, and it is available to all infants, children or adults who have not yet been baptised in this or any Christian church.

Adults would take the same classes as listed below in Confirmation and Reception.

Parents of children to be baptized need to attend the class, Raising Children in Christ.

III. CONFIRMATION & RECEPTION

Those adults who are seeking baptism for themselves attend these classes. Those baptized in another denomination will want to receive Confirmation into the Episcopal Church. Those confirmed already in other Christian denominations will want to receive Reception into the Episcopal Church. Both rites involve the laying on of hands and prayers by our bishop. The classes to take are:

1. NEWCOMER ORIENTATION (1 session)

2. INTRODUCTION TO ST. MICHAEL'S (4 sessions)

3. EPISCOPAL BELIEFS & PRACTICES (6 sessions)

Class Descriptions

Newcomer Orientation

This informal gathering with Clergy, Vestry, Newcomers Committee and other prospective members meets in the Parlor after the 9:30 a.m. (10 a.m. summer service) worship service. Learn more about the life of St. Michael's Church and our process for church membership. Attend one session.

Offered Sunday mornings at 10:50 a.m.:

January 20, March 2 & May 18 .

Introduction to St. Michael's

This class is for all prospective members. Come learn about St. Michael's Church—who we are as a parish, our history and our ministries—then discover your own spiritual gifts and how these God-given talents can be put to service in St. Michael's community of faith and beyond. Attend all four sessions.

Offered Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m.:

January 9 - St. Michael's History

January 16 - St. Michael's Identity

January 23 - Member Covenants

January 30 - Spiritual Gifts & St. Michael's Ministries

Episcopal Beliefs & Practices

For those seeking confirmation or reception, this class offers insight into Anglican and Episcopal traditions. Topics include the history of the Episcopal Church, Anglican theology, The Book of Common Prayer, a familiarization with Anglican objects and terminology, and an understanding of Episcopal polity. Attend all six sessions.

Offered Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m.:

February 13 - History of the Episcopal Church

February 20 - Anglican Theology

February 27 - Anglican Customs

March 5 - Book of Common Prayer

March 12 - Episcopal Music

March 19 - Episcopal Polity and Questions/Answers

Baptisms

Baptisms are arranged through the clergy after parents (of children to be baptized) or adults have participated in the appropriate class(es). Baptisms take place at least five times a year: The Feast of Our Lord's Baptism (The Sunday after Epiphany – January); the Easter Vigil; Pentecost; the Feast of St. Michael (the last Sunday in September); and the Sunday after All Saints' Day (the first Sunday in November).

Upcoming baptismal dates:

January 13, March 22 (8:30 p.m.), May 11