Membership

How to join

All those who are new to St. Michael’s are encouraged to take our New Member Class, which provides a way to understand our faith community and begin to get involved.

If you simply want to attend and participate as you are you may consider yourself a “baptized member,” and give your contact information to the parish office via email or by phone, at 505-345-8147.

If you want to become an Episcopalian and a confirmed member, or be baptized for the first time as an adult you will need to attend the New Member Class. We “confirm” those who are already baptized in another Christian tradition. We “receive” those who have already been confirmed by a bishop of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran traditions. We baptize adults after a period of study and spiritual preparation. Contact the clergy for more information.

If you are already an Episcopalian you may join by having your Letter of Transfer sent from the last parish in which you were a member. Contact the parish office via email or phone at 505-345-8147.

Resources for members

All baptized Christians of any age are encouraged to receive communion at any of our services. This is regardless of whatever faith tradition they were baptized in.

All who consider St. Michael’s to be their spiritual home and are regular in attending worship in our parish may request a pastoral appointment with one of our clergy to talk about faith and life issues. Members are encouraged to contact the office in times of crisis, such as when staying in the hospital, when there is a death in the family, or when prayers for loved ones are needed.

Any member may participate in any of the ministries offered by the parish, and may serve in leadership capacities, as appropriate. A few of our ministries are restricted to those who are confirmed Episcopal members.

Responsibilities

All who consider St. Michael’s their spiritual home are asked to be regular in worship, to pray for the people and ministries of the parish, to contribute financially, and consider being involved in one or more of the parish ministries under our Programs.

Members contribute financially by making a pledge to the parish operating fund, so that the Vestry can plan ahead on expenditures. All are asked to seriously consider giving a regular percentage of their monthly income to the work of the church. For further information on financial giving and parish finances, read more about supporting us.

Weddings, baptisms, funerals

As an Episcopal congregation, St. Michael and All Angels is bound by certain canons regarding these rites. We also have parish policies that apply. In all cases, the clergy should be contacted.

Weddings are reserved to members who have been attending St. Michael’s for 6 months or longer. Preparation for this sacrament includes pre-marital counseling with one of the clergy, and it may also include involvement in our New Member Class and/or other counseling.

Churches such as ours in the Diocese of the Rio Grande are not currently able to provide weddings or blessings of same-gender relationships, but there are many other things we can do to support these couples. Go to Support for same-gender couples.

Baptisms are also reserved to active members. Adults who wish to be baptized usually undergo a program of education and spiritual direction, under the guidance of one of the clergy.

Funerals are normally reserved to members, but occasionally we also perform them for members of a parishioner’s immediate family who did not have a faith community of their own. Occasionally a funeral is done for other Episcopalians who, due to special circumstances, have no other place to hold their funeral.