St. James Episcopal Church, Groveland, MA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive communion in your church if I am not Episcopalian.

Yes. Absolutely, you are welcome to receive communion. But if you feel uncomfortable receiving communion for any reason, please come to the rail anyway and receive a blessing from the Priest. All are welcome.

What is your church like?

We are a pastoral sized (50-150 people) traditional Episcopal Church, using Rite II Holy Eucharist and The Service of Morning Prayer in months with five Sundays. (See the Liturgical Schedule page for more details).

Since 1873, the parish has faithfully served the communities of: Groveland, Georgetown, Bradford, Haverhill, Boxford, West Boxford, Byfield, Merrimack, Danville (NH), Andover, W. Newbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Atkinson (NH), Salem (NH) and Plaistow (NH).

For more information on our parish, see our Parish Profile on the "Who We Are" page. For a schedule of all our upcoming events, see our Calendar page.

Or, come visit us any given Sunday. The Service is held at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday school beginning at 9:15 a.m. Children join their parents midway through the service for communion.

When do children take communion in your church?

Just as every family can prepare their child to share food in the company of others at the kitchen table, we too can prepare our children to share the bread of life and the cup of salvation at the altar. With the consent of the parent, bread and wine will be given to any child who hungers or thirsts at the altar.

First communion instruction is offered to children and their families by our priest when children are in the first grade. The last supper, Jesus as the bread of life and an instructed Eucharist are included in the instruction.

Parents of younger children may prepare their child by discussing in simple terms what it means for them to receive bread and wine at the altar. We encourage parents to teach children how to hold their right hand on top of their left to receive bread and how to guide the cup to their mouth, dip the bread in the cup or cross their hand over their heart to signal that no wine should be given to them.

Should parents not want their child to receive bread and wine but a blessing, we ask them to instruct their child to cross their hands over their heart!!

Everyone is welcome at the altar.

What is the Mission of Saint James Episcopal Church?

"Our mission at St. James is to be open to receive God's unconditional love. We will be called upon to change and grow in theis process. Our mission is to share God's love in our congregation, to take it out to our communities and to take it into the world, as God directs us."

Being Episcopalian is hard. There are all those books, and what's with all the standing and the sitting?! Where can I learn more about how the services work?

Sometimes service can be confusing. There are four basic elements in the service:

1. The Bulletin: outlines each and every activity during the service and tells you which book you should have open and when to be standing, sitting or kneeling. It also tells you when coffee time is (after service).

2. The Holy Bible: contains the lessons read aloud each week. Sometimes it is best to just listen to the reader, and spend time each week becoming familiar with the flow of service.

3. The Hymnal: each of the songs (hymns) included in the service are in the hymal, except for special music performed by the choir.

4. The Book of Common Prayer: this is the most important publication used in the service. There are several different services printed in the book, from Baptism services to Burial ritual. Saint James Groveland uses Rite I and II Holy Communion most often. The Priest or the Lay Minster will often tell you what page the service continues on, so as to keep you informed and participating.

If ever you're confused or lost, in our church or any other church, it's always best to just listen to what is happening around you. Following the motions of the Choir is especially helpful.

You can click here for a "lexicon" on many Episcopal Terms, which may shed some light on some rituals, liturgy and events. Hopefully this will lessen the perception that being Episcopalian is hard.

I'd like to get married/have my child baptised in your church. How do I go about that?

This question is best answered in discussion with our Priest in Charge. Feel free to contact Marya DeCarlen at 978-373-1270.

Marya's workdays are Sunday, Tues and Thursday mornings and Friday. She is loyal to callers leaving messages and will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.

Who was Saint James?

Information About St. James the Apostle

Feast Day - July 25
Collect:

"O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant the apostle James, the first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

History
St. James was the son of Zebedee, elder brother of St. John, and with St. Peter and St. John he belonged to the privileged group of disciples who were present at the Transfiguration and the Agony in Gethsemane. Because of their ardent zeal, James and John were named Boanerges, or "sons of thunder," by the Lord (Mark 3:17). St. James was the first of the Twelve disciples to suffer martyrdom in A.D. 44 (Acts 12:2).

If you have a question for us, email us and we'll do our best to answer it here!