“No exceptions at St. Aidan’s,” they say. Here we are standing before St. Aidan Episcopal Church a beacon of faith and community. This church is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a family watching out for each other and entering into each other’s joys.
St. Aidan’s is a place where hardworking and faithful people gather. They are boldly visionary. They step into new territory to meet the requirements of Jesus Christ. Loving God and loving neighbors are their guiding principles.
St. Aidan’s seeks to create a haven of peace-filled and loving support for all. It welcomes everyone to express one’s own faith journey. The church follows the Book of Common Prayer, joining a community of 85 million strong throughout the world.
Ministries at St. Aidan’s range from traditional food programs to arts and music. Meditation and education also play a vital role. Like its patron saint, Aidan, the church focuses on outward-looking ministries. It serves the community and nurtures the land. All new ministries are welcome here.
The Episcopal Church has dramatic roots. They even inspired the Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons”. The Protestant Episcopal Church is the United States branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion. This group includes nearly 30 national churches around the world. They all descend from the Church of England. The Episcopal Church was established in 1785. It grew out of Anglican churches that spread through the American colonies.
The first Anglican service in America took place in Virginia on June 16, 1607. Although it shares many elements with the Roman Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church does not recognize the primacy of the Pope.
The word episcopal comes from the Greek for bishop. It refers to the church’s hierarchical structure. The Episcopal Church has a strong tradition of progressive liberal reform. The priesthood was opened to women in 1976.
St. Aidan’s is also home to several other congregations. Kingdom Harvest Ministries, an evangelical Liberian congregation, worships here. Kingdom Christian Fellowship Church, a Micronesian congregation, also calls this place home. St. Antonious Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church holds services here as well. Additionally, Sunshine Adult Day Care Services serves the Ukrainian community here.
Special services are held throughout the year. These include St. Francis Day and the Blessing of the Animals. Rogation Day and the Beating of the Bounds are also celebrated. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Holy Week Services are observed with reverence. Floral Mass, Pentecost, and St. Aidan’s Day Mass on the Grass are also special occasions.
As we leave St. Aidan Episcopal Church, consider this. Here is a community that embraces diversity and works tirelessly. It fosters a loving and supportive environment for all. Remember that St. Aidan’s is a place where everyone is welcome.