Sundays, weekdays, and what to expect
Our services follow the Anglican prayer book, in English, with the same shape every week. Here is what each one is like, so you can choose the one that suits you.
Said Eucharist
A quiet, early service with no music and no sermon longer than five minutes. It uses the older language of the Book of Common Prayer, and it takes about 45 minutes.
It suits people who like stillness, or who want the rest of Sunday free. Usually twenty or so of us, sitting near the front.
Sung Eucharist
Our main service, with the choir, the organ, hymns, a sermon and communion. It uses modern language and lasts about an hour and ten minutes.
Children are welcome throughout. Sunday school meets in the hall during the sermon, and coffee and tea are served there afterwards.
During the week
| Day | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:10 to 12:40 | Midday Eucharist in the side chapel, followed by soup in the hall. |
| Tuesday to Friday | 10:00 to 3:00 | The chapel is open for quiet prayer. Candles by the door. |
| First Monday | 7:00 pm | Compline, a short evening service by candlelight, about 20 minutes. |
The choir and the organ
Music is a large part of the 10:30 service. The choir of about a dozen adults sings a setting of the Eucharist, an anthem and the hymns, and leads the congregation rather than performing to it.
The organ dates from 1903 and was rebuilt in the 1990s. Our organist and choir director, David Ellsworth, also plays for weddings and funerals.
Choir practice is on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. There's no audition and you don't need to read music well. Come and sit in on a practice first if you'd rather.
If you've never been to a service like this
Traditional services can look complicated from the outside. They aren't, and nobody is watching to see if you get it right.
Arriving
Come in the main doors on Brunswick Street, or the level side door on Charlotte Street. Someone at the door will hand you a service leaflet and a hymn book. Sit anywhere.
Following along
Everything you need to say is printed in bold in the leaflet. People stand to sing and for the Gospel, and sit or kneel for the prayers. Do whatever is comfortable.
Communion
Anyone who is baptised is welcome to receive communion. If you'd rather not, come forward with your arms crossed for a blessing, or simply stay in your seat.
Afterwards
Coffee, tea and something baked in the hall. Stay for five minutes or an hour. Nobody will ask you to sign up for anything.
Supporting the parish
The parish runs on what people give. If you'd like to help, envelopes are at the back of the church on Sundays, or send an Interac e-transfer to give@stcolumba.example. This website does not take payments.