What We Believe

All Saints is an Episcopal parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. The Episcopal Church is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which now numbers 85 million Christians in 165 countries around the world. Anglicanism has its roots in the Church of England, which spread around the world in the colonial period, and is now comprised of autonomous churches like the Episcopal Church in the United States.

• As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• The Episcopal Church has members in the United States, as well as in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands.

• We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person.

• The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity.

• Both men and women, including those who are married, are eligible for ordination as deacons, priests and bishops.

• We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting.

• Lay people exercise a vital role in the governance and ministry of our church.

• Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians, not only members of the Episcopal Church.

• We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer.

• We affirm that committed relationships are lifelong and monogamous. Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce and do not deny the sacraments to those who have been divorced.

• We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience.

• We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion.

• All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.