How we worship

Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. We call our principal weekly worship service Holy Eucharist, which is also known as the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or Mass. In most Episcopal churches, worship is accompanied by the singing of hymns, and in some churches, much of the service is sung.



Episcopalians worship in many different styles, from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with lots of singing, music and incense, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based on the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel no matter where you go.

Liturgy and Ritual

Worship in the Episcopal Church is “liturgical,” meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prays from texts that don’t change greatly from week to week during a season of the year. This sameness gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to people.

For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating. . .or confusing. Stand. Sit. Kneel. Stand. Sit (or is it Kneel?). Participatory elements may provide a challenge, but don’t worry. At St. James some people stand, some people kneel, some people sit — you can’t really get it wrong.

Liturgical worship can be compared to a dance. Once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance, again and again, as the music changes.

Morning Prayer & Holy Communion

St James is in constellation with St Peter's, Bennington, meaning that we are able to provide Holy Eucharist on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and on feast days.

In addition to Holy Eucharist, the Book of Common Prayer provides with a beautiful liturgy of Morning Prayer. We offer this type of worship on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

Candlelit Taizé

On the 2nd Saturday evenings of the month, we offer a candlelit Taizé service alongside Holy Eucharist.

Taizé is a style of worship originating from the Taizé ecumenical community in France. It involved simple chanted songs and prayers that create a beautiful and contemplative service.