Worship
St. James is here for you at important moments of your life – particularly welcoming a new child of God in baptism, committing to your partner in Holy Matrimony or mourning a loved one who has entered into eternal rest. We hope this guide will help you plan ways to mark these important milestones, and we look forward to talking about ways St. James can walk with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Scheduling with us
St. James wants to walk with you in those powerful moments of Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals. Logistical costs for such arrangements depend on your need. From space rentals, clergy services, hospitality & catering cooridnation, to printing costs, we commit to working within your budget. Costs differ for members and non-members of the parish.
Connect with a clergy so we can best serve you.
a denomination that is both protestant & catholic
Formed as a “Middle Way," the Episcopal Church combines the best of the Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, ensuring consistency of structure and worship, but allowing for individual conscience. Over the years, the middle way has become a way of being as a denomination, helping us to open wide to people of all walks of life. Know that whoever you are, you are beautifully and wonderfully made.
the Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.
Plan Your Visit
We provide the detail below in the hope it gives you a sense of enthusiasm and comfort when you choose to worship with us for the first time.
what to expect / plan your visit
Please Come As You Are
We have a wide range of attire, from blue jeans and t-shirts to dresses, coats, and ties. We want you to come however you are comfortable.
Accessibility
Easy and close free-parking is available. All of our services are held in our sanctuary which is accessible by a ramp to left of the front stairs. We also have an elevator to the lounge, parish hall and restrooms (all downstairs).
A Warm Welcome
Ushers and other parish members welcome you as you enter the building, with a smile and a full-text bulletin.
After Service Socializing
Immediately following our 10am Sunday Service we invite you to coffee hour, where we join in fellowship to enjoy coffee, snacks, and treats in the joy of each other's company.
The Worship Service
While a full-text bulletin is provided, as an Episcopal parish, the pattern of our celebration of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) and of Morning Prayer come from the Book of Common Prayer. If you are new to the Episcopal faith tradition we invite you to learn more about us: here
Young Children
Children are always welcome in worship, no matter their age! We love and encourage children in worship. We have activity bags and youth-oriented worship booklets that help explain the service!
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.
