Visitors are always welcomed at
St. Timothy's Episcopal
Church in Brookings.
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Here is information to better acquaint you with St. Timothy's Church Family.
The arrangement of the church building and the function of its parts suggest the need for understanding the use of ritual and ceremonial and the nature of the church's ministry. Learning details about Christian traditions leads to definitions and the history which explains them, and why they have been kept by the Episcopal Church.
| While there is one Christian
religion, there are many ways of expressing it. The ways of the various
branches or "communions" or "denominations" of the Christian
Church.
The people of the church are not an audience, but a congregation, (from the Greek ecclesia), meaning a close fellowship of people who share a common life derived from our Lord Jesus Christ. The people and the clergy, who are ordained ministers, form the Church; they cannot exist or function without each other. |
Episcopalians play a vital part in all worship; the term "liturgy" means the work of the people. The ordained minister, or celebrant, and assistants wear special clothing called vestments, and sit in the sanctuary; the congregation sits in the nave;
The choir does not sit facing the congregation because the function of the choir in the Episcopal Church is to lead the sung parts of the service--to encourage people to sing to Almighty God. The choristers are truly part of the congregation.
The ministers who conduct the service sit or kneel in the sanctuary, and do not face the people but face across the chancel. In the chancel is the altar, the focal point of the church and its most sacred part. Railings which separate the nave from the sanctuary are not a barrier but a convenience for those who kneel there to receive Holy Communion.
The celebrant is leading the people of the congregation, praying for or with the people to God.
| St. Timothy's is graced by stained glass windows along the walls of the nave and in the sanctuary. To learn more about this colorful (and unique) elements of St. Timothy's, click here | |
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.The visitor may notice the people, entering or leaving the church, and the clergy, entering or leaving the sanctuary, stop and bow their heads or kneel as a mark of reverence and respect. This helps make many aware of the sacredness of the church and the solemnity of the altar as the sacramental place of meeting with their Lord.
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