Core Values

  • Hospitality
  • Authenticity
  • Relevance
  • Gratitude
  • Joy

Beliefs at St. Clare's

The Holy Bible

The Episcopal Church is a Church with few "musts." It gives guidance for, but does not dictate our response to God, and there is room for a diversity of opinions. Our understanding of who God is and who we are in relation to God is derived from three important sources: Scripture, Reason and Tradition.

Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by people. The Bible reveals God to humankind - most clearly in the person of Jesus Christ - and tells the story of our response to God in history.

Reason is used to interpret Scripture and better understand God in the context of our experience.

Tradition also helps us interpret Scripture. It is the shared experience of the people of God from the very beginning to the present day. This collective experience of God's people is never static, but continues to change and grow as the people of God grow in their relationship with God.

Our faith is summarized in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Interpretation of these creeds varies somewhat from Episcopalian to Episcopalian, but certainly includes belief in...

The Holy Trinity

THE HOLY TRINITY -- God as three in one.

God the Father -- infinite, good, omnipotent, the creator of all that is.
God the Son -- the joyous union of both God and human being; His life, death, and resurrection set us free from bondage to sin and death.
God the Holy Spirit -- God's power of love moving within us in mysterious and unexpected ways.

 

Salvation

SALVATION is:

  • The end of our separation from God; the beginning of new life, lived according to God's will
  • Accomplished by our participation in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Church

THE CHURCH is

  • All of the baptized; the people of God.
  • One -- One body under one Head, Jesus Christ.
  • Holy -- The dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
  • Catholic -- Universal; proclaiming the whole Faith to all people, to the end of time.
  • Apostolic -- Continuing in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship.

 

Adapted and used with permission from St. James Episcopal Church in Wichita, Kansas.