A Note of Welcome -

from Pastor Anna Doherty

To all who may be new to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, or those who may be visiting, welcome! We would love to see you in worship sometime and to welcome you into our life of faith. If you have any questions about the community, ministries, or worship at St. Aidan's, please feel free to take a look at our website, or to call the church office at (262) 673-7273. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please know that no matter who you are, or where you might be on your spiritual journey, we would be delighted to welcome you among us.

For those looking for more information about The Episcopal Church, the Christian denomination of which St. Aidan's is a part, feel free to take a look at the national denominational website at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/index.htm. Some of the basic beliefs and practices of The Episcopal Church are as follows:

• As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• The Episcopal Church has members in the United States, as well as in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands.
• We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person.
• The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity.
• Our liturgy retains ancient structure and traditions, and is celebrated in many languages.
• We welcome men and women, married or celibate, to be ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons.
• We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting.
• Lay people exercise a vital role in the governance and ministry of our Church.
• Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians, not only members of the Episcopal Church.
• We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer.
• We affirm that committed relationships are lifelong and monogamous.
• Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce and do not deny the sacraments to those who have been divorced.
• We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience.
• We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion.
• All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.

-taken from http://www.iamepiscopalian.org/ on Dec. 2, 2009

Blessings on you and your spiritual journey! We hope to see you at some point along the way!

Peace,

Pastor Anna Doherty