So You Are New To The Episcopal Church? Check Out These Fine Books!!

Being new to the Anglican/Episcopal tradition can be a bit intimidating, especially if you are coming from a non-liturgical church background.  If you have questions, I would strongly suggest speaking with the parish priest first, however, there are many resources and books that can help you along the way!  Keep in mind that the books I am suggesting are introductory and quite basic in their nature.


1.  Episcopal Church Handbook.  This is probably my favorite introductory book to the Episcopal Church.  Many questions are answered in this book, including when to kneel, how to take Communion, and why we do many of the things we do.  The books offers a basic introduction to the Sacraments and other worship practices. The books is chalk full of history and fun-filled facts.  Highly recommended!!

Episcopal Handbook

2. Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church.  Another basic introductory book that comes highly recommended. 

Description: "An everything-you-need-to-know guide for newcomers to engage deeply in the Christian life in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, written in an accessible, conversational style. This book will carefully present the Episcopal Church's language of worship theology church structure and sacraments so newcomers will have the vocabulary to share their beliefs and practices, explore the Bible, understand prayer and discern their own ministry within the church. Similar in format to the earlier book for teens, this new book will draw on the success of the teen book by retaining its broad content areas as well as its clear and simple language, while inviting readers to consider their relationship with God and the church community as an ongoing process of transformation and providing a way to engage in that process."

Your Faith, Your Life

3. Welcome to the Book of Common Prayer.  Another introductory book, however, this one focuses on the Book of Common Prayer.  This guide and a hard copy of the 1979 Book of Common prayer go great together!

Welcome to the Book of Common Prayer

1979 Book of Common Prayer, Pew Edition

These books should be a good start in learning about Episcopal worship, church history, and basic theology.  If you have found a book that is helpful for new Episcopalians that is not mentioned here, please tell me about it in the comments section!