Calvary is part of the Protestant Episcopal Church of America and, as such, belongs to the greater Anglican Communion of churches around the world.  This Guide was developed to give you a brief introduction to the Episcopal Church and its order of service.  Whereas these are the generally accepted practices of churches in the Anglican Communion, each church may vary its practices to take into account the customs of its parish.

The Place of Worship

Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles; but whether small or large, elaborate or plain, your eye is carried to the altar.  This is where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated.  On the altar are two candles representing Christ as the “Light of the world.”  On either side of the front of the church are the pulpit and the lectern for the proclamation of the Word.  The pulpit is used for the sermons and the lectern is used for readings of the Scriptures.

The Act of Worship

As a sacramental worship-oriented church, the principal service is on Sundays and holy days where we celebrate the Holy Eucharist together.  Other services include Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer (or Evensong) and the Litany.

Episcopal services are designed for the congregation to share fully in the service and are conducted according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which is found in each pew.

The Episcopal service includes a lot of standing and kneeling.  The general rule is to stand to sing hymns or other songs, such as canticles or chants.  We stand to say our affirmation of faith, the Creed, and for the reading of the Gospel.  Psalms are sung or said while sitting except at Evensong.  We also sit during readings from the Old Testament or the New Testament Letters, the sermon and the choir anthems.  We generally kneel for prayer, as an act of humility before God.

While some parts of the service are always the same, others change.  At the Holy Eucharist, for example, the two or three Bible readings that are read are different each Sunday.  The Psalms will also change.  These are not chosen randomly, but are chosen according to the day or season of the Church year.  The page numbers referencing the parts of the service located in the BCP will be printed in the service leaflet.  But you can always ask your neighbor for help.

Before and After the Service

It is custom upon entering church to kneel in your pew for a prayer of personal preparation for worship.  It is also customary to bow to (or acknowledge) the altar on entering and leaving the church as an act of reverence.  These customs are not as common as they once were but are still practiced by many worshippers.

The time before and after the service is considered time for personal meditation and devotion.  At the end of the service it is customary to remain seated until the altar candles are extinguished.  Many worshippers will remain until the end of the organ postlude.

The Clergy

In the Episcopal Church there are three orders of ministers; bishops, priests and deacons.  Bishops are ordained priests and are the chief pastors who have responsibility for large areas call dioceses.  The pastor of a parish church is a priest.  They must first be ordained a Deacon before being ordained as a Priest.  Deacons are ordained and serve as assistants and work in parishes as assigned by their Bishop.

The Vestments

The vestments are derived from the dress clothes worn in the ancient Roman Empire and have acquired spiritual significance and allegorical interpretation over the years.  Those who serve at the altar are regularly vested in a cassock and surplice or amice, alb and cincture, or cassock-alb.  The cassock is a black undergown.  The surplice is white, with full sleeves and is worn over the cassock.  The most distinctive vestments are those worn by the bishop or priest when celebrating the Holy Eucharist.  They wear an alb (a white robe) bound at the waist with a cincture (a rope), a stole (a long strip of colored silk) worn around the neck and crossed over the chest, and over it all, is worn a chasuble (a sort of poncho).  The bishop will wear an elaborate hat called a mitre.  A deacon assisting at the Eucharist wears the alb and stole, but the stole is worn over the left shoulder and fastened at the waist under the right arm; the deacon may also wear a dalmatic (a kind of over-tunic).  Others assisting at the service may wear albs without stoles, or they may wear a surplice or cotta (a white robe).  The colors of the vestments will vary and are consistent with the color of the liturgical season as noted in that section of this brochure.  Choir vestments usually consist of a cassock and a white overgown called a cotta (a shorter version of the surplice).  Vestments are not worn outside of the church.

The Liturgical Seasons

The Episcopal Church observes the traditional Christian calendar.  The season of Advent (violet or blue) prepares us for Christmas and begins on the Sunday closest to November 30.  Christmas (white) lasts 12 days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, January 6.  Lent (violet) is the 40 days of preparation for Easter (white) and begins on Ash Wednesday.  Easter season lasts 50 days and concludes on the feast of Pentecost (red).  The time between the principal seasons is called Ordinary Time (green).  Ordinary Time is from Epiphany to Lent and from Pentecost to Advent.

The Music

Music is an integral part of the Episcopal liturgy.  Its history dates as far back as the 16^th century.  The music of many of the great composers is incorporated into the Episcopal service.  Service settings include Holy Eucharist (Mass), Evensong, Matins, Te Deum, Litany and Preces and Responses.

We incorporate this rich and deeply spiritual musical heritage into our worship to enhance the beauty and solemnity of our services.  Continuing this great liturgical and musical heritage helps us bind the present to the ancient.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Calvary Episcopal Church is to seek and serve Christ in every person; to proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ through servant ministries in our church, community and the world.  To these ends we seek God’s guidance.

Program Staff

Rector              The Rev. Joel P. Miller

Rector Emeritus           The Rev. David J. Jones

Assisting Priest              The Rev. Peggy Bryan

Director of Music         Murray Walker

Parish Vestry

Senior Warden             Cathy Watson

Junior Warden              Al Reetz

Clerk                             Scott Galloway

Treasurer                       David Folsom-Jones

Members                       Melinda Martin, Richard Enriquez, Ola Monaghan, Sarah Peterson, Sally Green, Charles Minkler, Penny Oliver

Service Coordinators

Acolytes                        Tony Nickel

Altar Guild                    Audrey Nickel

Choral Scholars           Murray Walker

Greeters                         Sally Green

Lay Readers                 Tony Nickel

Chalice Bearers            Tony Nickel

Ushers                            Richard Enriquez

Sunday School             Sonja Reetz

Youth Group                Sonja Reetz

Parish Staff

Office Manager           Nicole MacArgel

Sexton                           Carrie "Spook" Staples

Church Office

Hours                             Mon - Fri    9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Phone                             831-423-8787

Fax                                 831-423-8795

Email                             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website                          www.calvarysantacruz.org

Parish Hall Phone        831-423-8338