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The '''Episcopal Church in the USA''' (ECUSA), now also known as '''The Episcopal Church''' (TEC), is the American branch of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]]. From its founding until the middle of the twentieth century, the church was named the "Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America."  

The '''Episcopal Church in the USA''' (ECUSA), now also known as '''The Episcopal Church''' (TEC), is a [[liberal]] [[mainline Protestant]] church. It is the (official) American branch of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]]. From its founding until the middle of the twentieth century, the church was named the "Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America."  

In 2005 the Church reported 7200 churches in the U.S., with 1.8 million full members and 15,900 clergy. It has been steadily shrinking in membership since its peak of 3.6 million in 1966 and, by 2011, had lost over 40 percent of the  

In 2005 the Church reported 7200 churches in the U.S., with 1.8 million full members and 15,900 clergy. It has been steadily shrinking in membership since its peak of 3.6 million in 1966 and, by 2011, had lost over 40 percent of the  

churchgoers it counted in the mid-1960s. It is undergoing a theological split as traditionalists break off over a number of concerns, most notably the issue of homosexual bishops.  It sponsors [[Sewanee]] University in Tennessee and a number of other colleges and seminaries across the United States.

churchgoers it counted in the mid-1960s. It is undergoing a theological split as traditionalists [[Anglican Church in North America|break off]] over a number of concerns, most notably the issue of homosexual bishops.  It sponsors [[Sewanee]] University in Tennessee and a number of other colleges and seminaries across the United States.

Episcopalians reject some of the doctrines held by Protestants such as [[Martin Luther]] and share some traditions with the [[Catholic Church]].  The church is usually classed as a [[Mainline Protestant churches|Mainline Protestant denomination]], however.

Episcopalians reject some of the doctrines held by Protestants such as [[Martin Luther]] and share some traditions with the [[Catholic Church]].  The church is usually classed as a [[Mainline Protestant churches|Mainline Protestant denomination]], however.

==Worship==

==Worship==

Worship in the Episcopal Church is according to the [[Book of Common Prayer]], a book of worship services for use in the church. The current edition was published in 1979.  The previous edition was published in 1928.  Worship styles within the Episcopal Church can range from "high church" (emphasizing ritual, sung liturgy, candles and incense, genuflecting, etc. with services resembling a [[Roman Catholic]] service before 1960) to "low church" (emphasizing preaching and personal conversion and eschewing elaborate ceremony, with services resembling other evangelical Protestant denominations).  Many Episcopal churches have a "broad church" stance, meaning they take a middle ground and incorporate elements of both high and low church styles.  The Episcopal Church has been active in ecumenical movements, and in 1948 it became a founding members of the [[World Council of Churches]].

Worship in the Episcopal Church is according to the 1979 [[Book of Common Prayer]], a book of worship services for use in the church. The previous edition was published in 1928.  Worship styles within the Episcopal Church can range from "high church" (emphasizing ritual, sung liturgy, candles and incense, genuflecting, etc. with services resembling a [[Roman Catholic]] service before 1960) to "low church" (emphasizing preaching and personal conversion and eschewing elaborate ceremony, with services resembling other evangelical Protestant denominations).  Many Episcopal churches have a "broad church" stance, meaning they take a middle ground and incorporate elements of both high and low church styles.  The Episcopal Church has been active in ecumenical movements, and in 1948 it became a founding members of the [[World Council of Churches]].

==Theology==

==Theology==

Episcopal theology is summarized by the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], principally written by [[Thomas Cranmer]]. The Articles were adopted by the Church of England in 1563 and by the new Protestant Episcopal Church in 1801. The influence of the Articles has decreased dramatically over the last few centuries, as the Anglican Communion has gradually moved further away from [[Protestantism]] and closer to [[Catholicism]].

Episcopal theology is summarized by the [[Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion]], principally written by [[Thomas Cranmer]]. The Articles were adopted by the Church of England in 1563 and by the new Protestant Episcopal Church in 1801. The influence of the Articles has decreased dramatically over the last few centuries, as the Anglican Communion has gradually moved further away from [[Protestantism]] and closer to [[Catholicism]].  

==Politics==

==Politics==

==Same-sex marriage==

==Same-sex marriage==

In July 2015, the Episcopalian church overwhelmingly approved to allow [[sane sex marriages]] to be performed in its churches.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/01/episcopalians-gay-marriage/29595601/]</ref>

In July 2015, the Episcopal Church overwhelmingly approved to allow [[sane sex marriages]] to be performed in its churches.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/01/episcopalians-gay-marriage/29595601/]</ref>

==Prominent Episcopalians==

==Prominent Episcopalians==

*[[George Washington]]

*[[George Washington]]

*[[Reese Witherspoon]]

*[[Reese Witherspoon]]

 

==References==

==References==

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