ST. PATRICK'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Becoming a Member
4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW
Washington , DC 20007
202-342-2800
www.stpatrickschurchdc.org
Joining St. Patrick’s
There is no great mystery to becoming a member of this parish. Anyone who has been baptized – whether in the Anglican or any other Christian Church - is automatically considered a member. You need only provide your name and the fact of your baptism (and the date, or approximate date, if known) to the St. Patrick’s parish register.
But there are many mysteries, wonders and challenges in the Christian faith, and St. Patrick’s stands ready to help you explore the full meaning of our Christian identity. At St. Patrick’s, you will find a community dedicated to exploring the big questions: What do we really believe? How can we pray? How can we live out our faith in daily life and work, and in outreach and service to the community and the world?
With its special sense of being called to serve children – as exemplified in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, our parish is a family in the fullest sense of the word. Young people play an active role in parish and liturgical life, and we offer a range of programs in Christian formation for both adults and children. We invite you to learn more about these opportunities, at your own pace.
Welcome to St. Patrick’s!
How do I become a Member?
The bylaws of St. Patrick’s define active members of the parish as those who are members of the Episcopal Church, have been recorded in the parish register, attend church, have made or pledged a financial contribution in support of our parish, and participate in one or more ministries of the parish.
Membership in the Episcopal Church is open to any baptized Christian who registers his or her name with us. You can register by:
Filling out a new member form on the parish website.
Filling out a form in the church office, providing basic information, including your name, date of birth, baptism and the names of your family members. This form is also available on Sundays after the 10 am service at the Parish Life table in the Great Hall.
Before formally joining St. Patrick’s, we ask that you worship with us and also talk with one of the clergy. This will allow you to know us better and assist us in welcoming you to the parish.
If you are transferring from another Episcopal parish, or from another denomination, you may wish to have your old parish send a letter of transfer, but this is not necessary.
Parish Ministries
There are many ways to participate in the life of our parish, such as Altar Guild, Acolytes, Lay Readers, and Greeters. We have a wonderful Music program with many opportunities for you to participate.
We are involved in outreach locally, nationally and internationally. There are many ways to become involved in these ministries, with flexible time commitments designed to fit our busy schedules. Be sure to check at the Parish Life table on Sunday to see how you can become involved.
Baptism
Baptism is the ancient symbol of entry into the Christian community. Baptisms are scheduled several times each year at St. Patrick’s and are always among the parish’s most joyous occasions.
Confirmation
St. Patrick’s schedules confirmation classes for both youth and adults, in a six-week program of group meetings, coursework and individual consultations with the Rector, in preparation for confirmation at the National Cathedral.
Worship Schedule
Wednesdays 7:00 am
Holy Eucharist (in the All Saints Chapel) and Breakfast
Sundays 8:00 am
Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
Sundays 10:00 am
Holy Eucharist (Rite II) with Music
Christian Formation for all ages.
The All Saints Chapel is open every day for prayer and meditation .
For more information, or to speak with a member of the clergy, please call the church office at 202-342-2800.
St. Patrick’s Church Mission Statement
St. Patrick’s is a Eucharistic community.
Our mission is to proclaim for our time and place that all persons are created in God’s image, redeemed through God’s son and sanctified in the Holy Spirit. We are called to be a community of hope with all who enter our doors and with those beyond.
We have a long-standing and ongoing commitment to outreach. This is strongly based on stewardship: we are richly blessed and reach out from a deep sense of gratitude. We emphasize partnership and personal involvement in outreach.
We are an inclusive community, given to mutual support, as we journey corporately and individually.
We have a special sense of being called to serve children, a commitment which finds expression in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and in parish programs.
We are energetic and progressive. We dare to dream and to take risks.
