Trinity Episcopal Church, Woodbridge NJ

Membership

How to join

All those who are new to Trinity are encouraged to attend our “Via Media” classes which are usually held during the spring and fall. The classes provide a forum for questions about the parish and the Episcopal Church, to help understand our faith community and begin to get involved.

Those who are baptized in another church and simply wish to attend and participate without a formal commitment may consider themselves as “baptized members” by registering their contact information with the parish office. Registration will insure that you will continue to receive information about events and activities. Please give your contact information to the parish office via email or by phone, at 732-634-7422.

If you want to become an Episcopalian and formalize your membership by becoming a confirmed member, or if you wish to be baptized for the first time as an adult, please contact the Parish Office and ask to speak with the Rector. We baptize adults after a period of study and spiritual preparation. We regularly “confirm” those who are already baptized in another Christian tradition. We “receive” those who have already been confirmed by a bishop of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran traditions. Classes for adults who wish to be confirmed or received are held prior to the Bishop’s Visitation. Contact the clergy for more information.

If you are already an Episcopalian and a member of another parish, you may join by having your Letter of Transfer sent from the last parish in which you were a member. Contact the parish office via email or phone at 732-634-7422.

Resources for members

All baptized Christians of any age are encouraged to receive communion at any of our services. This is regardless of whatever faith tradition they were baptized in. It is our practice to admit children to communion at the time of their baptism and we encourage parents to bring their children to receive regularly to underline their full participation in the life of the church.

All who consider Trinity to be their spiritual home and are regular in attending worship in our parish may request a pastoral appointment with the clergy to talk about faith and life issues. Members are encouraged to contact the office in times of crisis, such as when staying in the hospital, when there is a death in the family, or when prayers for loved ones are needed. Messages which are left on the rector’s voice mail are automatically forwarded directly to the contact him so that he may respond quickly in an emergency.

In order to have your name or the name of a loved one included in the Sunday prayers of the people, the prayer request line may be reached by telephone (732-634-7422, option 5, then option 4), or by email. The parish prayer list is prepared on Friday each week, so calls or emails received after Friday will be included the following week. You are also invited to add your prayer requests either aloud or silently each Sunday during our celebrations.

Any member may participate in any of the ministries offered by the parish, and may serve in leadership capacities, as appropriate. A few of our ministries are restricted to those who are confirmed Episcopal members.

Responsibilities

All who consider Trinity their spiritual home are asked to be regular in worship, to pray for the people and ministries of the parish, to contribute financially, and consider being involved in one or more of the parish ministries under our Programs.

Members contribute financially by making a pledge to the parish operating fund, so that the Vestry can plan ahead on expenditures. All are asked to seriously consider giving a regular percentage of their monthly income to the work of the church. For further information on financial giving and parish finances, please contact the parish office.

Weddings, baptisms, funerals

As a part of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Trinity is bound by certain canons regarding these rites. We also have parish policies that apply. Information sheets are available through the parish office regarding these regulations. In all cases, the clergy should be contacted before arrangements or plans are made.

Weddings are reserved to members who have been attending Trinity regularly for a reasonable period of time. Preparation for this sacrament includes pre-marital counseling with the clergy, and may also include additional classes and/or other counseling.

Baptisms are also reserved to active members. Adults who wish to be baptized usually undergo a program of education and spiritual direction, under the guidance of one of the clergy.

Funerals are normally reserved to members, but occasionally we also perform them for members of a parishioner’s immediate family who did not have a faith community of their own. Occasionally a funeral is done for other Episcopalians who, due to special circumstances, have no other place to hold their funeral.

Contact the Parish Office
If you have additional questions regarding membership please contact us.