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Questions and answers about St. Columba's
Are children welcome at all services?
What does it mean to be a member of St. Columba’s? Do I have to do anything in particular to qualify?
There’s one thing that Christians worldwide can agree upon: If you have been baptized, you’re already a member of the church. Being a member of a particular congregation means placing your name officially on the rolls. These days in the Episcopal Church, joining a local parish means giving your name and the fact (and date, if known) of your baptism. We offer a course called Welcome to St. C’s for anyone interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church, but it’s not a prerequisite for joining. Stop by the Information Table in the Common for more details.
Are children welcome at all services?
Yes. We believe that children — their presence, their questions, their honesty and their special intuitive sense of God — make us a more faithful and interesting congregation. There are some Sunday services, though, that make a special effort to include children. In the church, our 9 am service gives younger children the opportunity to break away for storytime during the sermon. The boy and girl choirs sing at this service, and children are encouraged to bring food to the altar during the Offertory
In the Great Hall at 9:15 and 11:15 am there is a Eucharist planned with younger children in mind. It features a story-style telling of the gospel and a few simple songs.
Will I be able to take my time getting to know the church, or will I be asked to participate in activities right away?
Our hope is that you will be welcomed and given the feeling that you belong, but not pressured to join a particular group or help out with a church program. Many people, especially those returning to church after a time away, appreciate the opportunity to “hide behind the pillars” for a bit.
Although worship is the central focus of life at St. Columba’s, really belonging to a church means getting involved at some level. Take your time, see what draws you, and join in more fully when you’re ready.
Columba, or “Columcille” in Gaelic, was a sixth century Irish monk who was exiled to an island off the west coast of Scotland called Iona. (Iona is the Latinized form of the Hebrew name Jonah, which means dove — as does Columba in Latin.)
Accounts differ about the incident that caused Columba to leave his beloved Ireland. The story we tell most often says that Columba, who had a passion for books, was accused by a local abbot of copying a monastery’s prized copy of a gospel without permission. In the trial that ensued, Columba was ordered to surrender the copy he had made. He refused, inciting a battle in which many died. Overcome by remorse, Columba sailed from Ireland with 12 monks, swearing that he would stop and build a new monastery only when he could no longer see his homeland.
The community Columba founded on Iona became the center for an early, northern renaissance in which books, art, music and culture were preserved in the face of the encroaching “dark age.” Columba and his monks were vigorous and tireless missionaries who did much to keep Christianity alive in Europe.
Are the clergy considered ministers or priests? And how should I address them? Reverend? Father? Mr. or Ms.?
In our tradition, ministers are all the people of the church: bishops, priests, deacons, and the laity. Those members of the ordained clergy most often associated with a parish such as St. Columba’s are called priests.
We’re a pretty informal place, so feel free to skip the “father” nomenclature (our female priests will be especially appreciative!). First names between adults is completely appropriate. As for your children, have them do what they would with any other person in a leadership position. Reverend is an honorific (i.e., the Reverend or the Rev. Louise Lusignan) rather than a title such as Mr. or Mrs.