A NEW FAMILY

Saint Paul captured part of the vision of the church when he wrote to early Christians, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)  Of course that doesn't mean that we always get along.  Certainly, there are plenty of examples in history and in the current news of "Christians behaving badly."  Nevertheless, we have a vision given to us by Jesus Christ, and we try to keep each other accountable to that vision.  

ALL SOULS PARISH: NEW EVERY WEEK

In one place the Bible says that God's mercies are "new every morning."  God's mercies at All souls are "new every week," as the composition and character of our church changes according to those who attend on a given day:  visitors, friends from other churches who join us on occasion, new members and longtime members, and former members who have moved out of Washington but may be in town on business.  Our parish is made us of old people and very young.  We are comprised of different races and ethnicities.  Some have been born to large families and some are adopted by single parents.  We are married, partnered, divorced, separated, widowed, and looking-- all configurations of relationships are represented by our active membership.  Some of our members are very rich.  Some are very poor.  We cover the whole alphabet of sexual orientations: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning.  "Confirmed," has many meanings at All Souls. 

All of this is simply to say that whoever you may be (or may be becoming), wherever you have been, whoever you dream of being-- you are welcome, and there's a place for you at All Souls.

TO JOIN OUR PARISH

If you have never been baptized, then you should speak with a priest about that great sacrament.  We will celebrate you and welcome you through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, using words and rituals that go back to the first century.

If you are a Roman Catholic but would like to unite with our parish, we will record the date of your baptism and will receive you into this communion. 

If you are a member of another Protestant denomination, we can write your former parish and ask for your membership information.  You may also wish to express your new membership through liturgy and ritual by reaffirming your faith or being confirmed.

If you are already an Episcopalian, again we can write your former parish and ask for your membership information.  You may also wish to express your new membership through liturgy and ritual by reaffirming your faith or being confirmed.