A Sunday Visit

“I had not been to church since I was fifteen years old. I now have a family and realized that worship was missing from my life. St. Clare’s is an Episcopal Church that is open to everyone. I am excited about my family growing spirituality as St. Clare’s grows in the community.” –Grace

There is not an elaborate altar, there are no narrow, dark oak pews to sit on, nor looming stained glass windows to filter the sunlight. There are no Hymnals nor Books of Common Prayer that one has to thumb through quickly in order to keep up with the service and there is no organ muffling the voices of the congregation. If all this is missing, then what does one find at St. Clare’s?

At St. Clare’s worship services, one will find friendly faces of children, parents and grandparents, newlyweds and single people, all gathered to worship. There are rows of chairs around a simple altar in front of a large window overlooking a portion of The Steward School campus.

There is a talented guitarist who leads the congregation in song and a screen that displays the readings, hymns, and teachings of the service through PowerPoint slides. The service is lead by The Reverends Greenwood with much participation from members of the congregation including the children and adolescents. There is Communion with delicious bread baked in the home of one of St. Clare’s most beloved parishioners.

 

After the service, the congregation gathers for refreshments and fellowship. Old friends are greeted, new friends are made and visitors to St. Clare’s are welcomed. There is also an adult education class that meets before the 10 AM service. A nursery and Sunday School are provided for the children during the service.

So why do people worship at a church that lacks oak paneling, pews and a pipe organ? It is the parishioners themselves that make St. Clare’s a warm, spiritual, lively and growing church in the Richmond community.