About Us

We are an Independent Episcopal Catholic parish, committed to the historic liturgy, sacraments, and teachings of the Anglican-Catholic tradition. Our mission is to cultivate reverent worship, thoughtful spiritual formation, and faithful living in Christ.

We are an Episcopal Catholic parish, rooted in the historic faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and ordered within the Anglican tradition.

We affirm that the Church of Jesus Christ is not a modern invention but a living body received through apostolic succession, preserved by the episcopate, and nourished by Word and Sacrament.

We are Episcopal in that we live under the guidance (not control) of bishops standing in the apostolic succession.

We are Catholic in that we confess the Creeds, administer the sacraments as objective means of grace, honor the witness of the Fathers, and believe the Church has never ceased to be part of Christ’s universal Body.

We worship according to the Book of Common Prayer (1662), not as a historical artifact, but as a living rule of prayer that forms belief, shapes discipleship, and safeguards the faith once delivered to the saints. In this Prayer Book, Scripture is read abundantly, repentance is taken seriously, absolution is pronounced with authority, and Holy Communion is received reverently and faithfully.

Our liturgical life is reverent, ordered, and sacramental, shaped by Prayer Book theology and expressed through dignified ceremonial appropriate to catholic worship. Ceremony serves doctrine; devotion flows from truth.

We believe that catholic faith is not dependent upon novelty, personality, or preference, but upon faithful continuity—the Church praying as the Church has prayed, teaching what the Church has taught, and living under Christ’s authority as received through His apostles.

In all things, we seek to be:

  • Faithful rather than fashionable

  • Sacramental rather than sentimental

  • Rooted rather than reactionary

Our goals are to:

  • To Worship God

  • To Grow in holiness

  • To Seek the Old Paths

  • To share the Catholic Faith with others

Our aim is not to imitate Rome, resist the Reformation, or chase modern trends, but to live fully and honestly as Episcopal Catholics, formed by the Church’s prayer, nourished by Christ’s sacraments, and sent into the world in humility and truth.

Our Clergy and Staff

  • The Very Rev. Fr. Justin L. Gates

    PARISH PRIEST

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  • Rev. M. Caleb Hayes

    PARISH DEACON

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  • Mr. David Owens

    DEAF INTERPRETER

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Lay Ministries

Lay ministries are the many forms of service carried out by the baptized faithful who are not ordained, yet who share fully in the mission of Christ and His Church. Through baptism, every Christian is called to participate in the life of the church - not only as a worshiper, but as an active servant of the Gospel. Lay ministries arise from this shared calling and include a wide range of responsibilities that help build up the Body of Christ.

Some serve in liturgical roles, such as lectors, acolytes, ushers, greeters, altar guild members, and Eucharistic Ministers. Others serve in pastoral and educational roles, including catechists, youth leaders, small-group facilitators, and pastoral caregivers. Still others serve in administrative and outreach ministries, supporting parish stewardship, leadership teams, community service, and charitable works.

Each of these ministries is rooted in discipleship. Lay ministers offer their time, gifts and hearts so that the worship of the Church may be conducted with reverence, the community may be strengthened, and Christ’s love may be extended to those in need. In this way, lay ministry is not “lesser” ministry but a vital expression of the Church’s life - partners with the clergy in carrying forward Christ’s mission in the world.

  • Flowers for the altar are available to be donated by parishioners. Honorariums and memorials are published in the bulletin, along with the name of the donor. 

  • No license is required for this ministry and there is no age limit. This ministry is open to adults, youth, and children. The ministries of the acolyte utilized at the Church of the Risen Christ may include crucifer, torchbearer, and Gospeller. The crucifer leads all processions in and out of the church and at the Gospel procession - except at Easter and funerals when the Paschal Candle leads the procession. The torchbearer, two at each service, carries the torches (large candles) behind the crucifer in procession in and out of the church and at the Gospel procession. The Gospeller carries the Gospel book into the congregation during the gradual hymn and holds it for the celebrant or deacon during the reading of the Gospel.

    QUALIFICATIONS
    1. Baptized and member in good standing of the congregation.
    2. Physically able to hold and process with the torches, book, etc.
    3. Completed training and examination conversation.

    TRAINING will be provided by the Church.

  • Young people in grades 4 and up assist the priest at liturgical celebrations. Training and parental permission is required. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, helping bring up the gifts, and bringing up the liturgical books, among other things. Training classes are held periodically throughout the year as the need arises. 

  • This ministry is open to adults, youth, and children. The Lector reads the Scripture in the liturgy (Old Testament, Psalm or Canticle, New Testament) as appointed to do so by the celebrant or officiant. This is a lay function and, therefore, only in exceptional cases should a deacon or priest read the lessons.

    QUALIFICATIONS
    1. Baptized and member in good standing in the congregation.
    2. Ability to read clearly, audibly, and with the sense of the meaning of the passage.
    3. Completed training and examination conversation.

    TRAINING will be provided by the Church.

  • These wonderful people of our church care for the Sanctuary, including sacred vessels, altar linens, and other items used in liturgical celebrations. Sacristans also assist with general cleaning and decorating.

  • No license is required for this ministry and there is no age limit. This ministry is open to adults, youth, and children. The Intercessor leads the Prayers of the People in the absence of a Deacon. The Intercessor does not need to vest and reads from the lectern in the church.

    QUALIFICATIONS
    1. Baptized and member in good standing in the congregation.
    2. Ability to read clearly, audibly, and with a sense of the meaning of the prayers.
    3. Completed training and examination conversation

    TRAINING will be provided by the Church.

  • A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Rector or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

  • An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community's ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Rector or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation.

  • Members of the Usher and Hospitality Ministry greet parishioners and guests, help with seating, provide assistance, distribute offertory baskets, pass out bulletins before and after Mass, and see that the church is tidied up after each celebration.