Church Membership

We welcome your presence as part of Trinity Church Wall Street’s active and vibrant community of faith. If you have questions about membership or want to learn more about Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel, please read on, or email the Rev. Yein Kim or call 646.216.6484.

 Trinity Parish Members Explain “Why” 

Trinity Church Wall Street is now into its fourth century of serving the community, and even the world, from Broadway and Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. While Trinity is certainly a parish with history and influence, congregation members consider it, for a variety of reasons, first and foremost, their church family.

Members of Trinity Church Wall Street are faithful in prayer, regular in worship and service, and financially support the mission of the parish through stewardship. In other words, members pray, work, and give for the building of God’s kingdom at Trinity.

Download Trinity's membership information form (PDF) here. All are invited to learn more at Foundations, a series for those seeking Adult Baptism or Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of Faith in the Episcopal Church.

Pray

• Members are faithful in prayer. They dedicate time in their personal life to pray for the parish and its ministry.

Work

• Members strive to live into the promises of the Baptismal Covenant. This means regularly attending Holy Eucharist and participating in the common life of the parish through work and study. Get involved with Trinity community.

Give

• Members support the mission of the parish through stewardship. This means making a confidential pledge of any amount to support the ministries of Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel for the calendar year. How to give at Trinity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Membership

Who can join the Episcopal Church?

“We believe the Church should reflect the open and accepting arms of Jesus. The canonical legalities play second fiddle to the importance of a particular faith community in one’s life: ‘Is this particular church home?’ If so (and we hope it is), you’re in.” That quote is from a helpful resource called The Episcopal Handbook, and it nicely sums up Trinity’s attitude toward membership.

How do I learn more about the Episcopal Church?

Twice a year, Trinity offers a Sunday afternoon educational series, Foundations, to any adult interested in joining the Episcopal Church or to anyone wanting a great refresher course about the church. The class is free and covers a number of topics including the prayer book, church history, the Bible, prayer and spirituality, outreach, and other points of interest. Learn more about Foundations. We encourage you to explore being either confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church.

How do I become a member?

To become a member at Trinity Church Wall Street, you have to be baptized and indicate your intention to work, pray, and give at Trinity by completing and returning the Member Information Form to membership@trinitywallstreet.org. We encourage all new members and prospective members to attend all or part of the Foundations series, offered twice each year, and to spend some time getting to know a member of the clergy team.

Can children become members?

Children can be baptized at any age, and become members of the parish when they are confirmed. Youth Confirmation happens yearly for youth ages 12–18. Programming for children, youth, and families is abundant at Trinity Church Wall Street, including Sunday Children's Time, Youth Group, and Summer Program.

How do I transfer my membership from another church?

All we need to transfer your membership is (1) your baptism information, including baptism date and the city, state, and name of the church in which you were baptized; and (2) your completed Member Information Form for Trinity.

If you are uncertain of your baptism date, as not all churches keep such records, please provide us with the best information you have. For more information, please contact the Rev. Yein Kim at membership@trinitywallstreet.orgor 646.216.6484.

What if I am not yet baptized, or am not sure whether I am baptized?

Holy Baptism is the sacrament through which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. We baptize people of all ages—infants to adults—and would consider it a blessing to guide you through the baptism process.

If you’re not sure whether you are baptized, don’t worry, we will figure something out together.

If you are interested in baptism for an infant or child, please fill out our baptism form.

What is Confirmation?

From The Book of Common Prayer (p. 412): “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.”

At Trinity, we prepare adults for Confirmation, Reception, and Adult Baptism through the Foundations series, offered twice a year. Confirmations usually take place on the Sunday of Pentecost each year. 

Please note that there is a separate confirmation process for youth (ages 12–18). For Youth Confirmation, contact the Rev. Matt Welsch at mwelsch@trinitywallstreet.org.

What is Reception?

If you were not baptized in the Episcopal Church, we will recognize your Baptism or Confirmation elsewhere through the process of Reception, which, like Confirmation, includes making a mature, public affirmation of faith in the presence of a bishop and receiving the laying on of hands. Receptions usually take place on the Sunday of Pentecost each year.