Who We Are:

St. Mark’s, Fairland is an Episcopal church in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (DC). The Episcopal Church is a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. St. Mark’s is a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-generational community with a passion for serving Christ and our community. Our mission is to follow the two great commandments: to love God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We realize this through Faith, Evangelism, Outreach, Fellowship and Worship. As you visit this website, you will see a range of examples of all that these mean to us.

The people of St. Mark’s are caring, generous, and diverse. Our members include life-long Episcopalians, Anglicans from across the Communion, wounded survivors of toxic faith communities, and seekers who for a variety of reasons have found haven in the Episcopal Church. Our worship and programming address these and other related needs. We welcome people of any ethnicity, race, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, family status, or differing ability. Our worship and fellowship spaces are up-to-date, accessible, serving not only our parishioners, but the wider community.

We are a friendly, welcoming congregation and we invite you to join us soon – in person or online. May God’s grace and blessings be with you.

What We Do

With God’s help we try to live out the call to be the hands, heart, and presence of Christ in our neighborhood, our region, and the world.

Why We Do It

Our calling is to love God completely and love our Neighbors as ourselves.

Episcopal Church Core Beliefs and Doctrines

The Bible
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).

It is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end.  Approximately 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible, and Episcopalians read more Holy Scripture in Sunday worship than almost any other denomination in Christianity.

(See Revised Common Lectionary of Readings)

Book of Common Prayer
“It is a most invaluable part of that blessed ‘liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,’ that in his worship different forms and usages may without offence be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 9).

The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.

The Catechism
“It is a commentary on the creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practices; rather, it is a point of departure for the teacher” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 844).

Offered in a question-and-answer format, the Catechism found in the back of the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862) helps teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith.

The Creeds
“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).

We will always have questions, but in the two foundational statements of faith – the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion – we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.

Baptismal Covenant
“Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 292).

A mini catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other special occasions, the Baptismal Covenant opens with a question-and-answer version of the statement of faith that is the Apostles’ Creed and adds five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith.

Holy Baptism
“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).

In the waters of baptism we are reminded that we belong to God and nothing can separate us from the love of God. We also find ourselves part of an extended family, one with Christians throughout the ages and across the world, what we call the “one, holy, catholic [meaning ‘universal’], and apostolic Church.”

The Rite of Holy Baptism can be found on pp. 297-308 of the Book of Common Prayer.

Holy Communion
“We thank you … for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 366).

It goes by several names: Holy Communion, the Eucharist (which literally means “thanksgiving”), mass. But whatever it’s called, this is the family meal for Christians and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. As such, all persons who have been baptized, and are therefore part of the extended family that is the Church, are welcome to receive the bread and wine, and be in communion with God and each other.

The Sacraments
“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857).

Besides baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the church recognizes other spiritual markers in our journey of faith. These include:

  • Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows), pp. 413-419, Book of Common Prayer
  • Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), pp. 447-452, Book of Common Prayer
  • Matrimony (Christian marriage),  pp. 422-438, Book of Common Prayer
  • Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop), pp. 510-555, Book of Common Prayer
  • Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying) pp. 453-467, Book of Common Prayer

These help us to be a sacramental people, seeing God always at work around us.