Church Membership

Membership in the Church of the Holy Communion Cathedral is defined as follows:

A. Baptized Member.  Any person baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (or Spirit) in this church, or seeking to be entered in the Parish Register of this church by presenting verification of such baptism. 

B. Confirmed Member.  Any baptized person who has been entered in the Parish Register of this church under the provisions stated in the immediately preceding paragraph, and who has been confirmed by an Anglican bishop in the Apostolic Succession, or has been received by the same.

C. Active Communicant. Any confirmed member who has [a] achieved his/her 18th birthday, [b] been a stated contributor to the Parish throughout the six month period prior to a meeting of the Parish in which there will be voting [c] sustained a record of responsible contributions and attendance during that period, [d] attended such Inquirer’s Classes as may be prescribed by the Rector on the doctrines and practices of historic Anglicanism, and [e] in conscience believes himself or herself to have met the membership norms described in paragraph D below, will be deemed an Active Communicant member, with right of voice and vote.  No person will be allowed to vote at any Church Annual or Special meeting of the Parish who concurrently exercises voting privileges at any other church or church-like organization.  All persons, regardless of age, are expected to tithe, but for voting purposes, persons eighteen to twenty-one years of age who reside with parents may be considered as participating in family financial contributions.

D. Membership Norms. Recognizing that membership rights entail membership responsibilities, the following self-regulatory norms, all being consonant with the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Common Prayer, are herein provided as a means of consulting one's individual conscience prior to casting votes which will shape the future policies of the parish.

1) Active Communicant voting membership at the Church of the Holy Communion implies a prior, conscious, and deliberate decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.  The purpose of this norm is to subordinate the right of the ballot to personal commitment to Jesus Christ

2) That tithing being the official policy of this Parish, and its being assumed that half of one's tithe is contributed elsewhere, the norm for parish support is one-half tithe, being minimally interpreted at 5% of income after property and income taxes.  The purpose of this norm is to encourage the scriptural standard of stewardship.              

3) Members are expected to endeavor to live in accordance with Scriptural precepts, striving to set a Christian example by word and conduct, and regular attendance in the worship of God.  The purpose of this norm is to confine the governance of this parish to those who sincerely strive to live by the moral and spiritual standards of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer, as received by the Reformed Episcopal Church.     

Note:  Inactive Communicant Member. An Active Communicant member who does not comply with the standards set forth in this Section shall be considered an Inactive Communicant member and therefore not eligible to have voice or vote at Parish meetings.  In rare instances, Inactive Communicant member status may apply to someone who may not be resident in the Parish or otherwise be able to comply with these standards.  The Parish Council shall be the sole judge of such determinations. 

E. Transfer   Those desiring affiliation with the parish will be provided with a copy of membership by-laws, and requested to designate the form of membership for which they apply, and also, if available, a document of commendation from their previous affiliation.