The Episcopal Church is a reformed catholic church in that it holds the central catholic church as the core of Christian faith, as defined by the "catholic" or universal Christian faith, but separated from allegiance to the Bishop of Rome. This separation of the Episcopal Church from the Church of Rome is a matter of history, and the Episcopal Church cannot be understood apart from history.
The very early Christian Church spread to the British Isles, bringing the "normative" (or catholic) Christianity from the European continent. This Church asserted its independence from the control of Rome and became known as the Church of England. It is from this movement and reconstruction of the Church in England that the noticeable differences in the Episcopal Church come:
The Episcopal Church is a people's church, not a priest's, and, by its constitution, lay people have an essential and vital role in its affairs along with the clergy .
Services are always conducted in the local language (English in the American Episcopal Church ) and follow the Book of Common Prayer, of which 80 percent comes from the Bible.
At first visitors may feel awkward because others seem to know what to do; they sit, stand or kneel without any warning, and seem to know which reading to follow, or which song to sing. It is important to remember that reverence, not body position, is essential to the Christian experience.
At St. Timothy's, the church proper (called the nave) has rows of seats (called pews) with cushioned seats and kneelers. The visitor will also notice that there are two books in each section of the pew: one blue and one red. The blue book is a Hymnal while the red book is the Book of Common Prayer
The hymns that are sung during services are listed by number on the "hymn board" (found at the front of the church, to the left of the altar). The music and the words can be found in the hymnal. Generally, all are encouraged join in song.
The people follow the service in the Book of Common Prayer. The ritual of the words used in worship is always in an elevated, above ordinary, speech, expressing the breadth and depth of human concerns and desires. The Priest or Lector leading the service generally announces page numbers so that all can follow along. A more detailed list of the service is found in the Sunday bulletin, given out by greeters. The Priest is assisted by lay persons serving as Lectors, Lay Readers, Sub-Deacons and Acolytes.
Members of the congregation will walk to the front of the Nave and give Bible readings during the Liturgy. Also, members take an active part in the service during the Sharing of the Peace, when greetings are exchanged, and during the Holy Eucharist, when selected members carry forward the gifts of the people and the elements of the Eucharist.
Actually, Episcopalians are quite friendly, and all are invited to attend coffee hours following the celebration of the liturgy.
Visitors should be aware that the Episcopal Church is a Sacramental Church, of which Baptism and Eucharist are central to the beliefs and practices of the Church Body.
Holy Baptism is administered as the first step in Christian life. The purpose is to acknowledge oneself to be a child of God, and to receive Holy Baptism with water in the name of the Trinity. At St. Timothy's, the Baptismal font is located in the Sanctuary. The candidates for Baptism can be any age.
Holy Eucharist (or Holy Communion) which is celebrated on each Sunday and on other Feasts and Holy days. These traditions go back to our Lord himself.
Other minor Sacramental rites of the Church are:
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