These frequently asked questions (FAQs) are intended to help you gain a better understanding of what you can expect when you visit St. Mary's on a Sunday morning:
- What is it like?
- St. Mary's is an Anglican church that uses a structure for worship, called liturgy. Worship is normally led by our priest (called a rector), Mother Allie. We have two services each Sunday. The 8am service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer (1962). The BCP is the foundational prayer book of the Anglican tradition. This is a spoken service, lasting about 35-minutes, with a brief sermon and Holy Communion. The language of the Book of Common Prayer is rooted in the Elizabethan-era and sounds a bit like Shakespeare. The 10am service is taken from the Book of Alternative Services (1985), a supplement to the Book of Common Prayer that uses more modern language. This service is accompanied by a full choir and pipe organ, and parts of the liturgy are chanted by the priest.
- What about my kids?
- Children are an important part of the St. Mary's community. Kids of all ages are welcome at every service. Our ground floor washroom is equipped with a change table, and babies and toddlers are welcome to be with their parents during church. Sunday School is available for children ages 4-11, during school months. Older children (8+) are welcome to make inquiries with Mother Allie about participating in the liturgy and joining the Server's Guild.
- Where do I park?
- There is bountiful, free street parking located around the church campus. Vehicles with accessibility permits are welcome to park on the driveway outside the front of the church. For those with mobility devices, the church can be accessed through the power door of our parish hall.
- What do I wear?
- There is no dress code at St. Mary's - you will see some people in suits and ties and others in casual clothing. We ask that you keep clothing choices respectful as not to distract your neighbours in the pews.
- How can I get connected?
- If you would like to be contacted by our priest, please click here to email her.