There are a number of ways one can “belong” to the American Cathedral in Paris.  Properly known as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, we are a house of prayer for all people.  We are also a parish church with an active resident congregation.  In addition, we serve as the ceremonial seat for the Bishop-in-Charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.  Hence, we carry the designation “cathedral.”  So, we are blessed with several “identities”:   we are an Episcopal parish church, an Episcopal cathedral, and a house of prayer for all people regardless of their faith tradition.

Some who worship with us prefer to participate in activities and services without formally “becoming a member”. Everyone is welcome to attend all services, events, and programs of the Cathedral.  Many who worship with us prefer not to continue as “guests”, but rather choose to become “part of the family”, that is to become official “members” of the Cathedral parish.  Members of the Cathedral (who pledge, and more on that below) are eligible to vote in parish elections, to stand for election for parish offices, and to receive all parish mailings.  There are several ways one can “join” the Cathedral officially.

Holy Baptism is the sacrament of belonging. It is the primary initiation rite in becoming a Christian and a member of the Church.  All of our work and ministry as Christians, flows out of our baptism.

Any person who has been baptized can be registered as a baptized member of the Cathedral.  It does not matter whether or not you were baptized in an Episcopal or Anglican church.  One is baptized not into a particular denomination, but rather into the Body of Christ.  One is baptized a Christian, not an Episcopalian or Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian or Roman Catholic.

So if you are baptized and would like to be officially registered as a baptized member of the Cathedral, we ask you to complete a Household Information Form which provides information about you and perhaps your family members for our parochial records.  On this form is a request for the date, place and church where you were baptized.   Completing this form puts you on our membership roll and you are entered into our data base as a “baptized member”.

Another way of belonging officially is to request a Letter of Transfer from your previous parish.  Letters of Transfer are standard procedure for all Episcopal Churches and many other mainline denominations as well.  The Letter of Transfer simply passes along your baptismal record from your previous parish to the Cathedral’s parochial records.  Although it is not essential for membership, it is a lovely tradition in the Church that one’s baptismal records “follow you” when you change parishes.

Many who worship with us choose to affirm the vows taken at baptism through the rite of confirmation by the laying on of hands by the Bishop.  In addition, those who have been confirmed in other denominations by a bishop in the historic succession (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or Eastern Orthodox, for example) may be received into the Episcopal Church by the Bishop.  Those who have been baptized and also confirmed in any Episcopal or Anglican church, and wish to recommit themselves to the life of faith may choose to reaffirm their baptismal covenant in the presence of the Bishop.

All members are expected to contribute a portion of their time, talent, AND treasure toward the work and ministry of the church.  The best and easiest ways to do this are 1) to simply worship regularly and become involved in one or more of our many opportunities for ministry and service and 2) to make a financial pledge.  Pledging is crucial in enabling the Cathedral’s Vestry to plan in advance and it provides a stable financial base for the support of our programs.

Anyone interested in becoming a “member” of the Cathedral, or anyone wondering whether or not they are considered a “member” of the Cathedral, is encouraged to contact a member of the clergy staff.  The Dean, Canon Vicar, or Curate would be delighted to speak with you about membership and to encourage you along the path that is right and comfortable for you.