Become a Member
Everyone - wherever you are on your spiritual journey - is welcome at All Saints. We have those at All Saints Warner Robins who have made us their spiritual home and those also who have taken an additional step of becoming baptized, confirmed, received, or who have reaffirmed their faith.
I can be a member of All Saints but, not Episcopalian? Yes. While we always encourage people to take the step of becoming an Episcopalian, we also understand if one wishes to remain connected to their roots as a Baptist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, etc.
If you know that All Saints Warner Robins is to be your spiritual home, we have three gentle requests:
1. Come to worship regularly. “Worship is where (human) wills are recalibrated with God’s will.” — Bishop Rob Wright, Diocese of Atlanta. We don’t take roll but, we also know that the practice of worship with the wider body weekly allows both the individual/family to grow with God. It also allows God more opportunity to connect with you! (Yes, we know that God is not limited by church to connect with us. Yet at the same time, if you are thirsty and you know where a well is to go and drink, why would you not seek it out?)
2. Get involved in a ministry within the first year. “We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus
as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually.” — Diocese of Atlanta. Christianity is better caught than taught. We learn by seeking to give it away. Getting involved in a ministry allows you both the opportunity to give back but also connect with at least one other member of the church. Ministry builds relationships. You have gifts to share.
3. Share financially, as you are able, with the church. Generosity is a virtue. It’s not always easy to do, but is always good. Generous giving helps us grow spiritually, trusting that God will provide. Generous giving enables us to collectively feed people who are hungry, celebrate the sacraments, and go out to minister to the sick. Generous giving helps us extend Christ’s light into the world.
I have moved here as an Episcopalian, what do I do?
If you are currently a member of another Episcopal Church, you can join All Saints through transfer of letter from your previous parish. Linda Gerdes, our Parish Administrator, will facilitate the transfer of your membership from your current parish to All Saints, Warner Robins. Reach her by calling 478-923-1791 or emailing allsaintschurch@cbi.mgacoxmail.com.
If you are not currently a member of an Episcopal Church or any church, you can take an additional step and join All Saints through baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation.
To take this step please let us know your intent by filling out the following form for you or a member of your family. CLICK HERE.
Should I be baptized, confirmed, received, or should I reaffirm my faith?
Baptism is for people who have never officially become a Christian. Baptism is the rite of initiation into the body of Christ. If you were not raised in the church, or if you were raised in a church that practices adult baptism and left that church before you ever made a profession of faith and were baptized, we will be delighted to baptize you as a Christian and invite you into All Saints as your first Christian community.
Confirmation is making a mature public affirmation of faith as an adult. If you were baptized as a child but have never affirmed the faith of your childhood as your own in your adult life, confirmation will be the route through which you can join All Saints. In Confirmation the Bishop prays that you will receive gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry. It is first and foremost a sacrament of empowerment for service or “ordination” to the laity. Confirmation also serves as a rite of membership in the Episcopal Church and in our parish in particular.
We receive into this part of Christ’s body anyone who has previously made what they consider an adult affirmation of faith. If you have been confirmed by a bishop in apostolic succession (i.e. if you are Roman Catholic, Orthodox or Swedish Lutheran) then you must elect to be received. Some people feel that confirmation somehow negates a previous commitment and ministry and prefer to receive the bishop’s laying on of hands with words of welcome rather than a prayer of empowerment. Being received into the Episcopal Church is primarily a rite of membership.
Some who are already Episcopalians choose to reaffirm their faith before the bishop. This is particularly appropriate at times of transition in your life; a new city, a new job, a new relationship, a return to the church after years away. This does not automatically confer membership in All Saints’, which is accomplished by requesting a letter of transfer from whichever parish currently holds your membership.