Our Beliefs

Anglicans believe that all people are created in God’s image. We are free to make our own choices, to love, to create, to reason and to live in harmony but also to disobey, or deny the reality of God.

The Bible, or Holy Scripture, is a collection of books divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is a collection of books written by people before Christ was born. These books show how God was at work in nature and in the history of Israel. The New Testament is a collection of books written by people to tell of the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus and the apostles and the growth of the early Church.

All Christians are called to minister – to continue Jesus’ servant ministry by loving one another, building up the body of Christ and by worship. Through the Holy Spirit we all have unique abilities, gifts and talents and with the free will that God has given us, it is up to us to manage and use our gifts and talents so that others might benefit.

Prayer is our communication with God, both listening and talking, it helps us to develop our relationship with God. Through prayer we receive the comfort, strength and direction we need in life, both naturally and spiritually. The answer to our prayers may not always be what we expect or would like and may not be immediate. The Lord’s Prayer was given to us by Jesus Christ.

As Anglicans we seek to be missional, concerned for the whole of God’s creation. This is expressed in our Five Marks of Mission which guide us to live a mission lifestyle within our communities.

1. To proclaim the Good News of God’s reign. Sharing with others through words and actions our purpose, joy and hope in life.

2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers. Our faith is a different journey for each of us, and one that we are on for the rest of our lives. Baptism is a way in which children and adults are welcomed into the Church. Like any new experience, new members of the Church need to learn and be helped in order that they may grow in their understanding of God and continue on their journey. As we baptise and nurture others we also grow in our own understanding of God.

3. To respond to human needs by loving service. We are all called to serve others and to do so lovingly, no matter what their need is. We are advocates of the disenfranchised and charitable workers to those in need. In doing this we are following the example of Jesus.

4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society. Our human communities are all full of imperfections. Unjust situations can be found throughout society. As defenders of social justice we need to have our eyes open to seeing these situations and be committed to change them and ourselves.

5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. Caring for our environment is an essential part of our mission. Over thousands of years humans have been causing damage to our planet. We need to become better stewards of the world we live in, working with others to honour God’s creation.

The Church is a community of believers in God with Christ as the head.  It is described as being:

• One – one body made up of many churches working in unity under one head, Jesus Christ.

• Holy – because the Holy Spirit lives within its members and guides them.

• Catholic – because it’s universal and seeks to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to all.

• Apostolic – because it is faithful to what the apostles founded and in continuing the ministry of Christ throughout the world.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge
the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who in unity with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
and has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.    Amen.
                                                                                                                                                        

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.    Amen.
                                                                                                                                                        

A Liturgical Affirmation

You, O God, are supreme and holy.
You create our world and give us life.
Your purpose overarches everything we do.
You have always been with us.
You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous,
good beyond all measure.
You came to us before we came to you.
You have revealed and proved
your love for us in Jesus Christ,
who lived and died and rose again.
You are with us now.
You are God.

You, O God, are Holy Spirit.
You empower us to be your gospel in the world.
You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you.