Getting to Know Us
St. John the Evangelist
Whether you are familiar with the Episcopal church, come from another denominational or religious tradition, or are looking for community and meaning in a time when both seem to be in short supply, we welcome you. We love Jesus and our neighbors, and we welcome all to our church. We believe, in the words of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, ‘if it is not about love, it is not about God.’
In our worship we embody a relaxed reverence, an approach that both recognizes the holiness and sacredness of worship, but also that God is the one at work in our midst, and that means we simply can not mess things up. We celebrate communion every Sunday and all are welcome at God’s table
The Episcopal Approach
Episcopalians (part of the Anglican Communion) have tried to steer a middle-course between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, acknowledging that each has much to offer. We may be best known for the comprehensiveness of our denomination, which encourages and treasures a variety of viewpoints. Famous Anglicans include Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, C.S. Lewis, Mary Oliver, Jane Austen, Madeline L’Engle and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Find out more about The Episcopal Church HERE.
Find out more about our diocese, The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon, HERE.
Episcopal Worship
Our order of service, called the liturgy, dates back to the earliest centuries of the church, where people and clergy alike have important roles. Like the early Christians, our worship focuses on two main components 1) The Word of God, as expressed through Scripture readings and a sermon; and 2) Communion, also called "the Lord's Supper," "the Mass," or "the Eucharist," where we encounter Jesus' presence in the ordinary elements of bread and wine.