St. Joseph's Episcopal Church
I’ve been a churchgoer all of my life, so I pay St. Joseph’s no small compliment when I say that it is one of the finest Christian communities I have ever been associated with. Saint Joe’s is a small (I would guess no more than 50 members with 20-30 in attendance every Sunday) mission church in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
Under the leadership of vicar Rhonda Lee, and with the aid of Deacon Maggie and many devoted parishioners, this church has grown into a vibrant community. The services are middle-to-high church style out of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (those allergic to Sanctus bells and liturgy may find this a challenge!).
The worshiping group is small but enthusiastic, and exceedingly welcoming. As a visitor, I was welcomed immediately, and I was taken aback when, during the exchange of the Lord’s peace, people actually got out of their pews and wandered around to greet just about everyone. Needless to say, this is very cool, and somewhat uncommon in other churches.
Most impressive about St. Joe’s is its dedication to the homeless men in the area. Rhonda has made it clear that the small group of men who stay on the grounds are welcome there—a fact she has stressed to the police multiple times. With the help of St. Joe’s parishioners and the wider community, breakfast is made available to these men every morning. Other St. Joe’s parishioners have worked to establish a hospitality house for these men. In short, these men have been made a part of the community, and when so moved, they will even attend services from time to time.
All in all, St. Joe’s is a Christian community made up of people who strive constantly to praise the Lord Jesus in worship and serve him in their neighbors. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this church!
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Having grown up as a United Methodist, I was pleasantly surprised to find a home at St. Joseph's. As one of my friends put it,"the Anglican Church is your daddy." Though not all Christians care to worship with a structured liturgy, the worship at St. Joseph's is reverant, joyful, Scriptural, and sacramental.
St. Joseph's does some great work with the homeless. I think the ministries are great because the church is seeking to move beyond ministry to the poor and is learning what it means to live with the poor in its midst.
Another aspect of St. Joseph's that I like is that they do not greet newcomers with cheeezy, hollow welcomes. Instead, they extend the peace of Christ and invite all people to participate in their life of daily prayers and Sunday worship. If you are not sure about visiting St. Joseph's for Sunday worship, try visiting a service of the Daily Office (8:00 a.m. for Morning Prayer or 5:30 p.m. for Evening Prayer, Monday through Friday).
I was very interested in your comment,
"Another aspect of St. Joseph's that I like is that they do not greet newcomers with cheeezy, hollow welcomes. Instead, they extend the peace of Christ and invite all people to participate in their life of daily prayers and Sunday worship."
Can you explain this statement a little more. Are you saying that church greetings can be disingenuous often? I've certainly met a few greeters that remind me of Wal-Mart greeters and others that were really quite nice. How are newcomers greeted differently at St. Joe's. I go to Catholic Mass every week and we share a sign of Christs peace, but sometimes it seems like a chore in shaking hands. Is there something about the greeting at St. Joes that is unique or are the people just really great?
A side note, I drive by this church every week and I sure do love that red door and the old stone work. It's a photographers dream contrast of two textures.
" As a visitor, I was welcomed immediately, and I was taken aback when, during the exchange of the Lord’s peace, people actually got out of their pews and wandered around to greet just about everyone."
"Needless to say, this is very cool, and somewhat uncommon in other churches."
Thats an understatement
Where did they learn to actually welcome people?
Who taught them?
Have they considered taking this idea on the road?