How to become a Member

There are four ways to become a member at St. Paul’s:

  1. Baptism: The Episcopal Church considers that anyone who has been baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, in any church or denomination, has been validly baptized. Those who have not been baptized become members of the church through baptism. Children who are being baptized need sponsors (called “godparents.”) Sponsors should be active members of a church.
  2. Transfer: Those who have already been baptized become members by transferring from another church or denomination.   Letters of transfer are requested by the church office on your behalf but are not required.
  3. Reception:  Those who have been both baptized and have made a mature statement of faith in another Christian denomination but who wish to become Episcopalians are “received” into the church by an Episcopal bishop.
  4. Confirmation: Confirmation is an adult affirmation of baptismal vows.  The rite of Confirmation involves the laying of hands by an Episcopal Bishop. At St. Paul’s, young persons are normally confirmed around the age of 16, after having been part of the formation program, Journey to Adulthood.  Through confirmation, teenagers reaffirm the baptismal vows that their parents made for them when they were baptized as infants. Adults who are baptized by an Episcopal bishop are, in effect, baptized and confirmed at the same time.

It is not necessary to be confirmed to be an adult member in good standing at St. Paul’s. To enroll as a member of St. Paul’s, please click on the link below, complete the Membership Form and return it to the church office, 117 Main St. Owego, NY 13827.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 607-687-2830.

Membership Information

Please read and complete the form below.

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Family Information:

Please fill out the following information for each member of your family, including yourself.

List all family members and inforamtion on separate lines.

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Membership Commitment

Membership in St. Paul’s carries three basic commitments:

1. Weekly participation in Sunday worship

For two thousand years, Christians have been meeting on the Lord’s Day to worship God and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sunday Worship is both a privilege and a duty in the Christian Life

2. An annual pledge of financial support for the church

When you become a member of St. Paul’s, and once each year thereafter, you will be asked to make a financial commitment to the church for the coming year.

3. Willingness to support and build the church in other ways.

St. Paul’s asks its members to help with the work of building a church spiritually and in other ways, as their time and circumstances allow.

At St. Paul’s, we want to support you on your spiritual journey as well. You should receive a call from a member of St. Paul’s within one week of turning in this membership form so that we may find out how best we can support you in your ministry.

Accepting the commitments stated above, I hereby enter my name as a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Family Information:

Please fill out the following information for each member of your family, including yourself.