Vacation Music Academy
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is growing community of christians who
Our mission of the performing arts and music camp is to create a safe and comfortable environment for all aspiring artists and musicians that will inspire them to be creative, master their art, and foster a life long love for the fine arts and musicianship.
The purpose of our mission to provide this opportunity for all children in the community especially the low income children in the area.
Many of the questions and answers that follow are based on the Episcopal Catechism, or Outline of the Faith, which can be found on pages 843-862 of the Book of Common Prayer (Church Hymnal Corporation, 1979). Please note that the Book of Common Prayer states that the catechism "is a commentary on the creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practices; rather, it is a point of departure for the teacher" (BCP, p. 844).
In that same spirit, the responses to the questions that follow are not offered as definitive answers, but rather as general background information on the traditions and customs of the Episcopal Church, and while content is factual and duly referenced, it does contain certain interpretations by the author and does not necessarily represent the official viewpoint of the Episcopal Church.– Fred Vergara (2010)What is the mission of the Episcopal Church?
To "restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ" (BCP, p. 855).
What are the Five Marks of Mission adopted by the Episcopal Church in 2009?
1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom;
2. To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers;
3. To respond to human need by loving service;
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society;
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
What are the four orders of ministry in the Episcopal Church?
The four orders are: bishops, priests, deacons, and lay leaders. "Bishop" is from the
Greek word episcopos, or "overseer"; "priest" is from the Greek word presbyteros, or "elder"; "deacon" is from the Greek word diakonos, or "intermediary"; and "lay" comes from the Greek laos, which means "the people."
What is "the priesthood of all believers?"
This phrase is based in part on 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." The priesthood of all believers refers to the belief that all baptized Christians have been given direct access to God, just as a priest would have, and that God is equally accessible to all the faithful, and every Christian has equal potential to minister for God.
How does the church pursue its mission?
The church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love (BCP, p. 855).
What is the duty of all Christians?
The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God (BCP, p. 856).
What are the nine virtues that St. Paul called the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22)?
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control
Why did St. Paul describe the church as the "Body of Christ," with Christ as its head?
Saint Paul was referring to the way in which all members of the church are united with Christ. "If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).
What is the Great Commission to the Church according to Matthew?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This is called the Great Commission.
WORSHIP
What is the Episcopal Church’s main guide to worship and liturgy?
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the official book of worship of the Episcopal Church. The BCP provides liturgical forms, prayers, and instructions so that all members and orders of the Episcopal Church may appropriately share in common worship.
What are the major gestures or actions in the Episcopal liturgy?
• Standing to praise God
• Sitting to listen to God’s Word
• Kneeling to pray for the church and the world
• Bowing in reverence
• Lifting hands in prayer, or "orans"
• Making the sign of cross, usually with the right thumb on the forehead or with the right hand on the forehead, chest, and shoulders
• Genuflecting, or bending the knee in reverence
• Giving and receiving a kiss of peace, a sign of greeting and reconciliation
• Elevating the bread and wine during the Eucharist, offering them to God or showing them to the people
• Extending hands in greeting, (e.g., when the priest says, "The Lord be with you")
• Laying on of hands or extending them over people as a sign of blessing and authorization at baptism, confirmation, ordination, and other sacraments.
What is the chief worship service in the Episcopal Church?
The Holy Eucharist, also known as the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, the Mass, Divine Liturgy, and the Great Offering (BCP, p. 859).
