What is the Episcopal/Anglican Church?

 

     There is great breadth of diversity in the Episcopal Church (the United States Province of the Anglican Communion):  we might be Anglican, Anglo-Catholic, Evangelistic, Charismatic, conservative or liberal.  But Episcopalians are first and foremost Christians.  We believe God has created us, we proclaim and follow Jesus as Lord.  We believe God is active in our day to day lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)


All Anglican churches are drawn together by a common loyalty to:

 

  • Scripture as the revealed Word of God;
  • The historical Creeds of the Church as sufficient statements of Christian belief;
  • The celebration of the seven sacraments of the Church with special emphasis on Baptism and Eucharist;
  • The apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons in the life of teaching and service in the Church;
  • The use of scripture, Church tradition, and reason in matters of belief and practice.
  • Full communion with the Church of England

  

     In worship, Episcopalians/Anglicans sit, kneel, stand, sing, pray aloud, pray silently.  Some bow and make the sign of the cross; others don't.  We use the Book of Common Prayer, The Hymnal and (in many places) a service bulletin.  These tools are designed to help us worship and pray together, something very important to Anglican Christians.  Episcopal worship calls for the full participation of all the people.  The Prayer Book (and the service bulletin) will guide you in what to do, what to say or sing.  Our people are friendly and helpful!  If you need help during the service, please ask someone for guidance.

 

 

About the Parish

 
     St. Anselm Episcopal/Anglican Church has been serving Lehigh Acres since April 23, 1961 when services were first held in the offices of the Lehigh Acres Development Company.  The present building was occupied on June 3, 1965 and the finished church was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on December 19, 1965 by the Rt. Reverend Harwood Sturtevant.  The current rectory was built in 1968.  The Parish Hall was dedicated on June 6, 1974.

     St. Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk, a philosopher, and a prelate of the Church who held the office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109.  The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.  Called the founder of scholasticism, he is famous as the originator of the ontological argument for the existence of God.