Root and branch

The diversity of the worldwide Christian church can be imagined through the metaphor of a tree. With roots in first century Judaism, the main trunk of Christianity grew for roughly a millennium as a more or less united church. Thereafter, various schisms and divergences occurred which created the major branches of Christianity such as Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Anabaptist, Pentecostal and Anglican.  Within each of these (particularly the Protestant and Pentecostal branches) are numerous smaller branches, offshoots and even isolated independent churches - which we might think of as the "leaves" of the Christian tree.

Whilst we fully identify with the universal Christian church, (for all its faults, failures and triumphs) we are particularly at home within the Anglican branch of Christian expression.

We are Anglican in that we use the Revised Common Lectionary, creeds, collects (prayers) and a basic Anglican liturgical pattern of worship.  We value Anglicanism’s deep regard for unity in diversity, such that all can find a place and all are invited to participate fully in the life of the gathered community.

Our history involved a shared journey over a number of years with St Colman’s Church of Ireland in Carrickfergus in the Diocese of Connor.  That relationship enabled us to discover the principles of Anglicanism and to develop our understanding. The former rector of St Colman’s continues to play a part in helping us to be formed as Anglicans. While as yet not possible, we would wish when structures permit, to explore how we might formally relate to the The Church of Ireland in the future.

The Church of Ireland is the local expression in Ireland of The Anglican Communion which is the fourth largest Christian communion worldwide.

In a historically divided part of the world, we particularly value the way Anglicanism can act as a "bridge" between the Catholic and Reformed strands of Western Christianity.