Newcomers' Page

Revised 15 Aug 2004

Services | Symbols | Customs | Facts & Figures

The Episcopal Church welcomes you. St. Alban's welcomes those new to the Episcopal Church in general and to St. Alban's specifically. If you have attended our church in Westwood, you may have questions about the Episcopal Church, St. Alban's history, or the way in which services are conducted. Outlined below is some basic information to help you.
For more information, please examine the pages on the History of St. Alban's and Episcopal Church Facts & Figures. We have also provided links to other Web sites which have much information about the history, beliefs, and traditions of the Episcopal Church, and about the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer. Finally, please feel free to contact any of St. Alban's clergy or listed parishioners.

Services at St. Alban's

St. Alban's Sunday morning service is the Holy Eucharist, or Communion. One distinctive feature of the Sunday 10 a.m. service is the classical music presented by the choir, soloists, organ and sometimes the piano and harpsichord, all under the direction of Dr. James Vail.

Parts of the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist are chanted by the celebrant (officiating priest). The congregation also participates by singing hymns, singing or reciting the psalms and reciting parts of the liturgy found in The Book of Common Prayer, copies of which are provided in pew racks.

Eucharistic Symbols

Vestments, worn by the clergy, choir members and others, symbolize the sacred nature and function of the office, rather than the status of the individual. Vestments are also reminders of the democratic nature of Christ's Church, worn for the sake of dignity, beauty and uniformity.

The colors displayed in altar hangings and in clergy vestments emphasize various seasonal lessons of the Gospel and the Church Year. For instance, white or gold, symbolizing victory or purity, is worn during the Christmas season through the Epiphany, Jan. 6.

The central symbol in all Episcopal churches is the Altar, or Holy Table, a visible testament of the presence of the living God, whose Son was sacrificed that we might find new life. Here, in Holy Communion we are made one with him and with one another.

Candles and flowers serve to beautify the Altar. They are symbolic of the Church's joy in the resurrection of the Lord and in the light of Christ.

Customs

Many customs exist, such as bowing low when approaching the Altar, genuflecting (bending the knee) before the Sacrament, bowing the head at the name of Jesus, making the sign of the cross or bowing the head as the cross passes in procession. They are practiced by many as expressions of reverence. All outward actions in worship are signs of and aids to inward devotion.

All of these traditions enrich St. Alban's worship and show great reverence of God's House as a hallowed place. Those who come to St. Alban's find a deep sense of fellowship by participating in its services.

If you are a visitor or newcomer to St. Alban's and have any specific questions about its service, please ask the ushers, clergy, vestry or your pew neighbor. All of them can help guide you in St Alban's traditional ways of worship.