FAQ
FAQ
- Am I welcome at St Thomas?
- Absolutely! Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey as God’s beloved, you are worthy and welcome here!
- We are an inclusive Christian congregation and we welcome everyone, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, age, education, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
- Whether you are an opposite-sex couple, same-sex couple, single parent, divorced parent, grandparent, or guardian, you and your children and grandchildren are welcome to participate fully in the worship, mission, and ministry of the church.
- How are the two Sunday services different?
- The 8:00 AM worship service uses the traditional English of the King James Version of the Bible (e.g., ‘thee’ instead of ‘you’, ‘thine’ instead of ‘yours’). This service tends to be quiet and contemplative, features music only a few times a month, and usually lasts less than an hour.
- The 10:30 AM worship service uses modern English and includes music. This service usually lasts about an hour. On the fourth Sunday of the month, we use EOW (Enriching our Worship) verbiage, to enhance our vocabulary of prayer using more gender-neutral language.
- There is fellowship in the Great Hall following both services- taking a few minutes to catch up with our faith family and enjoy some treats from the Overflowing Cup Café.
- What do I wear?
- We care more about your comfort and presence than about what you wear to St Thomas’s. Typically, people dress casually, so feel free to come as you are.
- What do I call the clergy?
- Usually people call our clergy by “Father” and their first name. Fr Howie is our Rector (our full-time senior pastor), and Fr Clay is our Curate (part-time learning pastor). We also are blessed with our “retired” Deacon Associate, Sheila, and retired Priest Associate, Fr Juan.
- Can I receive Holy Communion?
- Yes, all are welcome to receive Holy Communion, including children.
- Known as Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass, Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Jesus for the continual remembrance of and participation in his life, death, and resurrection. The symbols of the Eucharist are bread and wine.
- At the time of communion, come forward up the center aisle to receive from the priest either the sacrament of Christ or a blessing. If you desire a blessing, cross your arms over your chest. Receive the host in open hands. Gluten-free bread is available; you may request it from the priest when you come to the front of the line. Receiving the wine is optional. To take the wine, drink from it or intinct (carefully dip) the bread into the cup. Please use the side aisles to return to your pew. If you are unable to come forward, ask an usher to let the clergy know, and communion will be brought to you.
- We hope this answers some of your questions and look forward to welcoming you at St Thomas’s Episcopal Church. We commit ourselves to ensuring that our place of worship is a safe place where all can feel comfortable and know that they are accepted and loved. In the Episcopal Church, everybody doesn’t always do things in the same way. But when you’re worshiping God, you can’t get it wrong! We are here to support you and provide a space for you to connect with your faith.
Giving to St. Thomas
We invite you to participate in our mission of compassion and community support. Through electronic giving, you can make a meaningful impact in several different ways. Visit our giving site and explore the options. Every contribution matters, and together, we make a difference. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our shared mission
