Frequently asked questions about coming to worship with us...

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• ​What is the Episcopal Church, anyway?

  • The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and it holds a kind of middle ground between the Catholic and Protestant traditions: we keep the ancient liturgy, sacraments, and bishops of the Catholic tradition, while holding Protestant convictions about grace and the priesthood of all believers. In practice, this means you'll find a service that may feel more formal or ritual-based than some Protestant churches, but without many of the structures — like required confession to a priest or an expectation that everyone shares identical beliefs on every doctrine — that some visitors associate with Catholicism. You don't need to have this all sorted out before you come (many of us are still sorting it out), but if you want to dig deeper once you are here, we have Faith Formation classes for adults in the Guild Room at 9:30am (see the calendar here–and don't worry about finding the Guild Room, there are signs to point the way). Our priest, Fr. Cramer, also does an Inquirers' Class once a year to help people explore their own faith and what it might look like in our tradition. You can contact him to find out when he's offering the next one. 

• What is Sunday mornings aren't good for me?

  • We also have a Noonday service of communion every Wednesday in our chapel. It's a short 30-minute service​ with communion, an opportunity for healing prayers if you'd like, and a reflection on the saint being commemorated that day. And we have special services for feasts and seasons on other days throughout the year, that schedule is online here: http://sjegh.com/specialservices.

• Do I need to know what to do?

  • No. Episcopal worship is participatory, and you'll see people doing different things throughout the service: some stand, some sit, some kneel; some bow or make the sign of the cross, others don't. There is no wrong way to worship here. Follow along in the bulletin, watch your neighbors if you're unsure, or simply sit and take it in. Whatever you choose, you belong in that pew.

• What should I wear?

  • Whatever you're comfortable in. You'll see suits and dresses next to jeans and t-shirts on any given Sunday. Come as you are.

• ​Why is it so quiet when I walk in?

  • It's not unfriendliness, it's a custom we've developed to give everyone time to breathe, reflect, and settle in. Many in the congregation spend a few minutes in quiet prayer and rest before the service begins, so you may notice a hushed sanctuary rather than a buzz of conversation. You're welcome to sit quietly and do the same, or to simply settle in and watch. Either way, no one will think it strange. (And about halfway through the service, when we share the Peace, you'll experience the people near you offering a handshake or kind words in greeting, right before our priest shares his own greeting as well as announcements about what's happening in our church right now). 

• Will someone make me stand up or introduce myself to the whole congregation?

  • No. Ushers and greeters will welcome you warmly at the door and are glad to help you find a seat or answer questions, but you won't be singled out or put on the spot.

• What actually happens during the service?

  • Our principal Sunday service is Holy Eucharist (also called Communion), and it follows two main parts: the Word of God, which includes Scripture readings, a sermon, and prayers; and the Holy Communion, in which we share bread and wine at the altar. Everything you need — words, most of the music, page numbers — is printed in the service leaflet you'll be handed at the door, or you can follow along in the red Book of Common Prayer found in the pew. They hymns are in the blue hymnal. (Want to more details about our worship? Click here)

• ​Why does St. John's worship this way — with written prayers and old-fashioned language, rather than something more informal and modern?

  • Our worship is liturgical, meaning we follow forms of prayer that Christians have used for centuries and that connect us to believers across time and around the world. That's a deliberate choice, not a matter of preference for old things. We've found that praying words shaped by generations before us, rather than only the words we'd come up with on our own, roots us in something sturdier than the mood of any given Sunday. And that grounding isn't the end goal, it's simply what roots and grounds us. It's also what sends us back out the door able to boldly love our neighbors and work for justice in the world. The liturgy is, quite literally, "the work of the people": something we do together, not something we watch as spectators. (Though you should feel quite comfortable, especially at first, simply watching and experiencing the service, if you don't quite yet feel ready to join in). 

• Can I receive Communion?

  • ​All baptized Christians, of any denomination, are welcome to receive Communion at St. John's. When you come forward, you can hold out your hands to receive the bread and consume it, or dip the edge of the bread into the wine rather than drinking from the cup. If you'd prefer a gluten-free wafer, simply clasp your hands together to let the minister know. And if you're not baptized, or would simply rather not receive, you're warmly invited to come forward anyway and cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing instead. However you choose to participate, it's the right choice.

• What about my kids?

  • Children are full members of the Body of Christ, not just the church of tomorrow, and they are genuinely welcome in our worship — not only in the pews, but at the altar. On certain Sundays throughout the year, children are invited to gather right at the center of our worship, near the Gospel reading and the altar itself. We also have a nursery available if your little ones need a quieter space during the service. If you're interested in Sunday school for your kids, that's at 9:30am during the program year (generally September through May). Details on Godly Play for elementary-aged kids are here and details on Rite13/J2A for middle and high school-aged kids are here.

• Will I be asked to give money?

  • ​We take up an offering during the service as an act of worship for our members and regular worshippers, but if you're visiting, please don't feel any obligation to give. Your presence is the gift. (If, down the road, you want to support the work we do together financially, you can always make a gift online at http://sjegh.com/give. Many of our members also help us plan our budget by submitting a pledge, letting us know how much they intend to give in a given year. More information about that is at http://sjegh.com/pledge.)

• Is St. John's actually welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, or is that just something churches say?

  • It's who we are. Our congregation voted, unanimously, to adopt a formal welcoming statement committing ourselves to the belief that no matter who you are, whom you love, or where you are on your journey, you are invited to be fully involved in the life and ministry of this church. People of all gender identities and sexual orientations serve in every level of leadership here, ordained and lay. We mean it when we say Boldly loving ALL.

• What happens after the service ends?

  • ​Stick around. We gather for coffee hour right after the service, and it's genuinely one of the best ways to meet people and ask any lingering questions in a low-key setting.

• Where do I park, and how early should I arrive?

  • We have parking lots in two locations. One is off of Sixth Street and the other is off of Washington Ave / Franklin Ave. There is usually ample street parking near our church as well. If you have accessibility needs, you'll want to use the Washington Ave / Franklin Ave lot. We'd suggest arriving ten or so minutes early so you have time to park, get a bulletin, and settle in without feeling rushed.

• ​​Can I watch a service online first, before I decide to visit in person?

  • Absolutely! Our Sunday worship is streamed live on our YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/SJEGrandHaven. You can also find recordings of previous services there, along with some of the classes we have offered on everything from an Introduction to the Hebrew Bible to a class on God, the Bible, Gender, and Sexuality to the Christian Mythbusters podcast our priest offers on a weekly basis (you can find even more content like that on his TikTok page). 

• I still have questions.

  • ​Who can I ask? Reach out any time — once more, you can email our priest at rector@sjegh.com — or just ask one of the ushers at the door on Sunday morning. We're honestly happy you're asking.

One more thing.... None of this is a test. You don't need to arrive with the right vocabulary, the right beliefs sorted out, or even certainty that you'll come back. Church can be one of the places where that sorting-out actually happens. We just hope you'll come and see for yourself. And if you want a friendly face waiting for you that first Sunday, tell us you're coming and we'll make sure someone's looking for you at the door.