Q.Why is The Episcopal Church USA in a crisis situation?

A. On August 5th, 2003, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church of The United States of America; hereafter to be known as ECUSA, voted by a majority to not reaffirm "Scripture" as the basis of our faith; to confirm a non-celibate homosexual as the next Bishop of New Hampshire; and allowing Clergy to perform the Blessings of Same Sex Unions.
 

Q.Why does this affect me?

A. There are times within the history of the church when Christians have been faced with threats, some internal and some external, to the integrity of their common life and faith.  The recent actions of ECUSA confront the various provinces of the Anglican Communion with just such a threat to the historic Faith and Order that defines their existence as a communion.  Their actions have compromised the witness and mission of Anglicans throughout the world, rent the Unity of ECUSA, torn the fabric of the Anglican Communion, and violated the trust so necessary for the fruitful relations with other churches and other faiths.
 

Q.Why does it matter if we stay in communion with the world wide Anglican Church?

A. As stated in the Preamble of The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church:  The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship with the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.  This Constitution, adopted in General Convention in Philadelphia in October, 1789, as amended in subsequent General Conventions, sets forth the basic Articles for the government of this Church, and of its overseas missionary jurisdictions.
 

Q. Is ECUSA now out of communion with the world wide Anglican Church?

A. Yes, by an overwhelming majority, the Anglican Communion has announced they are in some form of impaired or broken communion with ECUSA but they have also stated that they recognize the newly formed "Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes".
 

Q.What is the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes?

A. It was formed at the suggestion and encouragement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams.  The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, was elected Moderator and will serve a three-year term.  The Organizing Convocation also elected a 12-member Steering Committee comprised of individuals from across the country.  The Charter makes it very clear that the Network "shall operate in good faith within the Constitution of The Episcopal Church".  The purpose of the Network is to "constitute a true and legitimate expression of the world-wide Anglican Communion" and to maintain the widest possible connection to that Communion.  Bishop Duncan stated:  "We seek humbly to serve Christ as faithful Anglicans and to offer hope to those in North American devastated and disenfranchised by actions of The Episcopal Church".  The recognition of our Network by the majority of the world wide Anglican Communion gives us great encouragement and affirmation of our mission, and is a clear sign that the Anglican realignment in North America is moving forward.
 

Q.How does St. James Anglican Church fit in?

A.'St James was one of the first churches in America to break away from the formal church of ECUSA.  We have secured membership in the Anglican Communion Network effective September 8, 2004.  We are in full communion with the Anglican Communion. We have received episcopal oversight from The Most Revd. Gregory James Venables Anglican bishop of Argentina.'

The Place of Worship

As you enter, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence. Anglican churches are built in many architectural styles; but whether the church be small or large, elaborate or plain, your eye is carried to the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose house the church is.
On or near the altar there are candles to remind us that Christ is the "Light of the world'' (John 8:12). Often there are flowers, to beautify God's house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.
 

The Act of Worship

Anglican church services are congregational. In the pews you will likely find the Book of Common Prayer, though some countries use supplementary prayer books (Canada, for instance, uses the Book of Alternative Services regularly.) This enables the congregation to share fully in every service. In the Book of Common Prayer, the large print is the actual service. The smaller print gives directions to ministers and people for conduct of the service.

You may wonder when to stand or kneel. Practices vary---even among individual Anglicans. The general rule is to stand to sing---hymns (found in the Hymnal in the pews) and other songs (many of them from the Holy Bible) called canticles or chants and printed as part of the service. We stand, too, to say our affirmation of faith, the Creed; and for the reading of the Gospel in the Holy Eucharist. Psalms are sung or said sitting or standing. We sit during readings from the Old Testament or New Testament Letters, the sermon, and the choir anthems. We stand or kneel for prayer to show our gratefulness to God for accepting us as children or as an act of humility before God.

The Regular Services

The principal service is the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). In some Anglican churches it is celebrated quite simply, without music, early on Sunday morning. Weekday celebrations also are frequently without music, and without sermon. When celebrated at a later hour on Sundays, or on other great Christian days such as Christmas, music and a sermon are customary.

Another service is Morning Prayer. The parallel evening service is Evening Prayer. These services consist of psalms, Bible readings, and prayers; and may include a sermon. They may be with or without music.

While some parts of the services are always the same, others change. At the Holy Eucharist, for example, two or three Bible selections are read. These change each Sunday. So do the psalms. Certain of the prayers also change, in order to provide variety. Page numbers for parts of the service printed elsewhere in the Book are usually announced or given in the service leaflet. But do not be embarrassed to ask your neighbour for the page number.

You will find the services of the Anglican Church beautiful in their ordered dignity, God-centred, and yet mindful of the nature and needs of human beings.

Before and After

It is the custom upon entering church to kneel in one's pew for a prayer of personal preparation for worship. In many churches it is also the custom to bow to the altar on entering and leaving the church as an act of reverence for Christ.

Most Anglicans do not talk in church before a service but use this time for personal meditation and devotions. At the end of the service some persons kneel for a private prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the organ postlude.

Coming and Going

If there are ushers they will greet you, and may escort you to a pew. If you desire, they will answer your questions about the service. Pews are usually unreserved in Anglican churches. Following the service the pastor greets the people as they leave.

What Clergy Wear

To add to the beauty and festivity of the services, and to signify their special ministries, the clergy and other ministers customarily wear vestments. Choir vestments usually consist of an undergown called a cassock (usually black) and a white, gathered overgown called a surplice. The clergy may also wear cassock and surplice.

Another familiar vestment is the alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles. Over it (or over the surplice) ordained ministers wear a stole, a narrow band of coloured fabric. Deacons wear the stole over one shoulder, priests and bishops over both shoulders.

At the Holy Eucharist a bishop or priest frequently wears a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. The deacon's corresponding vestment has sleeves and is called a dalmatic. Bishops sometimes wear a special headcovering called a mitre.

Stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics, as well as altar coverings, are usually made of rich fabrics. Their colour changes with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colours are white, red, violet, and green.

The Church Year

The Anglican Church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6).

Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.

During these times the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. During the rest of the year--the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays)--the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings.

You Will Not be Embarrassed

When you visit an St. James Anglican church, you will be our respected and welcome guest. You will not be singled out in an embarrassing way, nor asked to stand before the congregation nor to come forward. You will worship God with us.

Should you wish to know more about the Anglican Church or how one becomes an Anglican, the priest will gladly answer your questions and suggest the way to membership.