GUIDE TO St. Andrew's SERVICE

St. Andrew's, Fort Valley, is a congregation of the Episcopal Church, USA.  We are a family of Christian friends strengthened by our diversity and dedicated to the growth of God's Kingdom.
     St. Andrew’s is a parish in the Diocese of Atlanta which is led by a Bishop elected by laity and clergy of the diocese.  The diocese is part of Province IV of the Episcopal Church, USA, which is allied with  the world wide Anglican Communion, a loose confederation of dioceses whose Christian tradition is linked to the historic Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Christian Education
     Continuing nurture in the faith is an important part of the life of St. Andrew’s. The Christian Education program meets following the 9:00 AM service on Sundays.  The education program strives to be a place where our lives in the world meet the lives of our faith.
     Complementing the Sunday morning offering is Education for Ministry (EFM), a continuing education course offered through the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Book of Common Prayer
     All worship services use forms found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). This book contains not only historic forms for worship but also houses the complete book of Psalms, forms for personal devotion, prayers for the church and the world and an Outline of the Faith (The Catechism - BCP 845).

Membership
     All persons are welcome at St. Andrew's.  Formal membership is by transfer of membership from another Episcopal or Anglican congregation, reception from the Roman Catholic Church, reception from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, or baptism and confirmation in this congregation.

Doctrine
     The Episcopal Church uses the Nicene Creed as a sufficient statement of faith and holds The Holy Scriptures, both old and new testament, to contain all things necessary for salvation. Questions of doctrine are addressed utilizing Holy Scripture, the historic tradition of the Church, and human reason. An Outline of the Faith is printed beginning on page 845 of the Book of Common Prayer.

Activities at St. Andrew’s

• Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Daughters of the King (DOK), Brotherhood of St. Andrew's

• Education for Ministry (EFM)

• Mother’s Union

• Christian Education

• Altar Guild

• Brass Polishers Guild

• Lay Readers

• Choir

Church Leadership
     The leadership of St. Andrew’s is vested in both laity and clergy.  The Rector serves at the pleasure of both the parish and the Bishop.  Lay leadership is provided through Vestry, a nine member elected board, which is led by a Senior Warden (the rector’s warden)  and a Junior Warden (the people’s warden).  Vestry membership is open to all baptized, confirmed members who maintain a stated pledge to the parish.
     The Vestry meets monthly and all members are welcome to attend.

Last Edited
01/15/2007 13:56 -0500