“Neighbor” is the first friendly word that comes to mind when thinking about Saint Clement Episcopal Church. Saint Clement Episcopal Church stands as a welcoming beacon in the Fairlington and Parkfairfax communities. It nestles right on the border of Alexandria and Arlington.
This neighborhood church is more than just a building. It is a vibrant community. Many members live within a few miles. Some travel over 20 miles to worship here.
Saint Clement Episcopal Church boasts a long history of local outreach. They help those in need through various programs. School supply and Christmas toy drives bring joy. Bag lunch programs in Alexandria offer sustenance. They also support local organizations like ALIVE.
The Saint Clement preschool has thrived for over forty years. Many families from the school are also part of the church community. The church actively seeks to unite the school and church throughout the year.
Sunday morning worship follows a typical Episcopal liturgy. It is taken from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a central part. A diverse group gathers each week to worship God. They reflect on Scripture and pray together. They greet each other. They meet God in bread, wine, and fellowship.
Congregational singing fills the air. Anthems are sung by a talented choir. Sacred music is played by Anne Tyler, the superb Music Director and Organist.
Saint Clement Episcopal Church welcomes all. The congregation includes people of diverse backgrounds. White, Black, African, Old, Young, Latino, and LGBTQ individuals find a home here. Wealthy, Asian, Sinner, Saint, Working Class, Spiritually Seeking, Lost, Found, Episcopalian, formerly Catholic, Baptist, Conservative, Liberal, Single, and Married people are all part of this community. You are welcome here.
Saint Clement collaborates with other faith-based organizations. These include Christ Episcopal and Emmanuel Episcopal. They also work with Westminster, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and others. Together, they support the Brown Bag Lunch program. This program operates out of Meade Memorial Church. It provides over 50 meals daily throughout the year.
Saint Clement is assigned days to make 50 lunches. Each lunch includes a sandwich, fruit, a sweet treat, and chips.
The church provides food and serves dinner at Carpenter’s Shelter. This happens the third Sunday of each month. They partner with Beverly Hills Community Methodist Church.
Sunday school at Saint Clement includes Godly Play. This is for preschool age to grade 2. Building Faith Brick by Brick, a Lego Bible class, is for grades 3 through 6. Trained volunteers lead the Sunday school during the first half of the service.
Saint Clement Episcopal Church stands as a testament to community. It is a place of welcome, service, and spiritual growth. It embodies the love and inclusivity it preaches.