Welcome
In a hurting and divided world, we seek to follow Jesus on the Way of Love. We have been transformed, strengthened, and encouraged in these difficult times by our faith and our community.
We want you to know that you can bring all of who you are to our community, your identity, your background, your doubts, your fears, your culture, who you love. With every new person who joins us, we are changed and strengthened by our diversity. You are loved, and you belong here!
This year we are leaning into the theme “Listening as a practice of love.” God loves all people abundantly, and scripture shows us that God has particular care for those who are suffering, oppressed, seeking, traumatized, or in need. We know that as we listen to others, especially to these God’s children, we meet God there.
Who We Are
The Episcopal Church calls all its members to ministry. The ministers of the Episcopal Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The ministry of lays persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be, and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.
Read More »What We Believe
We call the Holy Scriptures the Word of God because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible.
We believe that there is one God, consisting of three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
The Episcopal Church is a “sacramental” church.
The Episcopal Church calls all its members to ministry.
Read More »Leadership
The Episcopal Church has a democratic leadership structure. Parish churches elect leaders to their vestry (board of directors) who in turn elect their parish priest (rector). The parish also elects representatives for the regional governing body called the Diocesan Convention. Every diocese is overseen by a bishop who supports the clergy and lay people in their ministry. The word “episcopal” is an adjective meaning “of bishops.” Bishops are elected by the lay people and clergy of the diocese. Each Diocesan Convention elects leaders to represent the diocese at the General Convention, which governs The Episcopal Church (present in 16 countries).
The Episcopal Church is one of the member churches of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion includes a number of independently governed churches which share a common style of worship and historical link to the Church of England. The Anglican Communion is a friendship, not a governing structure. So while the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most Rev. Justin Welby, is its leader, he carries no governing authority over member churches of the communion.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is a parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, an entity of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and, in turn, a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California, the Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair, is our bishop, and her cathedral and office are in Sacramento, California.
Meet Our Leadership »Inclusion
The Episcopal Church is an inclusive church. We recognize the beauty in the diversity of God’s created universe. All are welcome in St. Mary’s worship, ministry (lay and ordained), and fellowship without regard to how we see ourselves and where we are on our spiritual journey.
Watch Our LGBTQ Inclusion Video Series »History
St. Mary's has been part of the Napa community for 164 years despite war, the Great Depression, earthquakes, and fire. We are a vibrant and active parish - a warm and welcoming community of committed Christians who like each other and enjoy worshiping and working together to fulfill Jesus Christ's Great Commandment to love God and to love and serve our neighbors as ourselves.…
Read More »