top of page

Heading 1

Practices (kneeling, standing, etc.)

Episcopal Practices

Episcopalians usually stand to sing, sit to listen and kneel to pray.  Throughout the service, there are prayers. Some people stand, some people sit and some people kneel. All are acceptable.

​

Some people bow and some kneel before entering the pews, while others do not. This is called “reverencing the altar” and people have different ways of doing it. Do what you feel is comfortable, none of these gestures of worship is expected or required.

​

Another personal worship practice is called “making the sign of the cross”. This practice is done by touching the forehead, chest, left shoulder and right shoulder to form the sign of the cross. This is a personal choice and is not expected or required.

Safety Guidelines for Communion and Sharing the Peace

With the onset of the Coronavirus, parishioners are understandably concerned about spreading germs during communion and the sharing of the peace. Bishop Russell has issued guidelines that have been adopted by the church to ensure everyone's safety. It is recommended that we drink wine from the communion cup, which is wiped clean after each use, rather than intinct (dip bread into the cup).

 

It is deemed safer to bow or touch elbows during the sharing of the peace rather than hugging or shaking hands.

 

More information about these practices is available on the Diocese website and in this video.

bottom of page