Becoming a member of St. David's

Belief and practice - The Episcopal Church has been called the "bridge church" between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism because our beliefs embrace both traditions. We are firmly grounded in the authority of Holy Scripture, which infuses our study, worship and corporate life. The Episcopal Church is also deeply sacramental, believing that baptism is the door into the church and that Holy Eucharist is the central act of Sunday worship. The Book of Common Prayer contains some services of the church, the psalter, catechism, creeds and historical documents.  At St. David's we also enjoy alternate liturgical texts and music from several authorized publications.

Involvement - The first step to membership is involvement in parish life. A good place to start would be to join us for fellowship on Muffin Sunday after the 8:00 AM service or the coffee hour following the 10:00 AM service. As soon as possible, fill out one of the visitor cards found in the church pews or contact the church office to have your name added to our. mailing list.  This will insure that you receive our monthly parish newsletter, "The Messenger," which includes news of parish activities and programs and a message from the clergy staff.  You can also find the monthly Messenger at this web site.  Weekly news and announcements are published in the Sunday bulletin and posted at this web site.

Short-time visitors to our area may also be added to our mailing list -- please contact the church office.

Letters of transfer - If you are a member of an Episcopal church elsewhere, contact the church office so that we may help you secure a letter of transfer to St. David's. This should be done as soon as possible after you move.

Reception into the Episcopal Church - If you have been baptized and confirmed in another church (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, etc.), you may be formally received into the Episcopal Church at a Sunday service.  Contact the Rector if you are interested in being received.

Time, talent and resources - Membership in the Episcopal church and at St. David's is a commitment to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ in tangible ways. There are many opportunities for spiritual growth and participation in the ministry of the parish through offering your personal time, talent and financial resources. The pages of this web site provide an overview of ministries available at St. David's. A formal pledge card to indicate regular financial giving may be obtained from the church office; you may also make a pledge online.  Memorial gifts and bequests may also be made to the honor and glory of God.   

My other church didn't do financial pledges.  What's that about? - In the Episcopal church, financial support for each parish comes primarily from its own members.  Making a pledge allows the vestry to have some idea how much income to expect, so they can budget for expenses, programs, and staff.  

Our diocese includes 41 congregations in eastern Washington and northern Idaho.  The diocese provides some funding for a few very small ones, called "missions," which cannot support themselves, but parishes (self-supporting churches) do not receive operating monies from the diocese.  In fact, it flows the other way -- member parishes pay an annual assessment to the diocese, which is the primary funding for the diocesan budget.  In turn, each diocese provides funding toward the national Episcopal Church budget.