A parish in Raleigh.
We gather in a school. We set up the room and prepare to worship.
The liturgy is the Book of Common Prayer. The Eucharist is every Sunday. The words we say together are old. Shaped by people who prayed them under difficulty and in ordinary time. We received these words. We did not write them. The rite teaches what we could not teach ourselves.
Formation is slow and intentional. The Anglican tradition gives us a structure for this: daily offices, the lectionary, the liturgical year. A Rule of Life. Sabbath. These are not techniques. They are the shape of a life given back to God over time. We hold them loosely and keep returning to them.
Our story
Christ Our Life Anglican was planted in the fall of 2022 by the Rev. Kara Griffith, who serves as rector.
We are a parish of the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others, within the Anglican Church in North America.
We have no building of our own. Every Sunday we gather at the Montessori School of Raleigh, set up the room, and prepare to worship.
Hospitality is Jesus eating with people at actual tables. We are still learning what this means for a parish with no building, meeting in borrowed space in Raleigh. Our hope is that it lives in people, not in a room.
Justice is God's insistence on mending what is marred. We believe worship, formation, and hospitality lead somewhere. For us, some of that somewhere is Raleigh's refugee families through Refugee Hope Partners, we show up for tutoring, mentorship, and the ordinary work of helping a family find its footing in a new place. We are not finished in this work. We are learning what it means to be neighbors.
What we believe
We affirm the historic Christian creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian. We believe in the Trinity, in Christ’s incarnation and resurrection, and in salvation through faith. And we believe that faith forms you — in your mind, your heart, and your body — over a lifetime.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,the Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God,eternally begotten of the Father,God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God,begotten, not made,of one Being with the Father.Through him all things were made.For us and for our salvationhe came down from heaven:by the power of the Holy Spirithe became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,and was made man.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose againin accordance with the Scriptures;he ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son.With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.He has spoken through the Prophets.We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.
What shapes us
Our values are worship, hospitality, formation, and justice. We pray they shine through on a Sunday morning.
Worship
Worship is not a Sunday activity — it’s a structure for life. We gather, we pray, we receive, we go. The liturgy shapes us whether we feel it or not.
Hospitality
Jesus ate with everyone. We try to do the same — acts of love that tell our neighbors they are seen, wanted, and loved by God.
Formation
We bring all of ourselves to God — our minds, hearts, and bodies. Through prayer, Scripture, and spiritual practice, we are slowly being changed.
Justice
God insists on mending a marred world. We join that work — not out of obligation, but because the Gospel leaves us no other option.
Who leads here.
The Rev. Kara Griffith
Rector
Kara lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband Tanner and their three children Archer, Abel, and Whit. Kara has a BA in English from Florida State University, a MA in Christian Studies from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and MA in English from North Carolina State. Kara taught high school English Literature for many years. She believes that stories can reveal the truth, beauty, and goodness in this world. She has been shaped through the works of C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and Eugene Peterson.
The Rev. Tanner Griffith
Priest
Tanner hails from Rocky Mount, VA but has called North Carolina home for two decades. Tanner is a proud Virginia Tech Hokie, and he completed his M.Div at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tanner has ten years of pastoral experience that he brings with him to Christ Our Life Anglican. Some of Tanner’s influences include Eugene Peterson, Rowan Williams, and Frederick Buechner. He loves mountain biking and working outdoors. He is married to Kara, and they have three children who love eating donuts with their dad.
Carolyn Branch
Pastor-in-Residence
Carolyn lives in Durham, NC with her husband Lucas. She earned her MDiv from Duke Divinity School, as well as certificates in Theology & the Arts and Anglican Studies, and her undergraduate background is in theatre. Carolyn is passionate about unveiling Christ through beauty, embodiment, and imagination. Her own theological imagination has been shaped by the works of Julian of Norwich, L.M. Montgomery, and Martin Shaw.
Andrew Darragh
Worship Director
Andrew grew up in North Georgia and later attended college there before moving to Raleigh in 2009 to pursue his Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Andrew is passionate about serving through music and ministry. A devoted Georgia Bulldogs fan, Andrew also enjoys reading and spending time playing board games with his wife, Bethany, and their two children. Some of Andrew’s favorite works of literature are "The Great Divorce" by CS Lewis and "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo.