Who We Are
Our hearts and minds are open
Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church is a spiritual home that blends innovation and sacred tradition.
In our nurturing community, people can be themselves. We welcome questions and doubts.
We challenge one another to partner with God to work for justice and peace.
A spiritual home…
In a society that treats humans like machines, we seek to recognize the inherent dignity and divine spark in every human being.
We seek humanizing connection to God, each other, and ourselves.
Innovation and sacred tradition…
- Our liturgy is grounded in Episcopal tradition, where poetry flows into theology and the Bible is reordered into our prayers.
- We draw on the rich tradition of our spiritual ancestors (such as Henri Nouwen, Julian of Norwich, and Pauli Murry) and listen deeply to the prophets of today (such as Cole Arthur Riley, Kate Bowler, William J. Barber II).
- We deeply value intergenerational relationships and all-ages access and participation in our worship.
Nurturing community…
- In the face of rampant loneliness and a lack of third spaces we create a community where you will find a listening ear, a ride to church, a good laugh, a monthly community meal, and spiritual practices to meet social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Our Sunday service includes a time for the community to open up to each other, sharing needs, joys, and griefs before God and each other.
- We welcome all to receive the Eucharist.
Be yourself…
- Each of us is a reflection of the infinite divine and we believe you are too.
- No matter your gender, race, sexual orientation or where you are on your spiritual journey, we want to welcome you.
- Many of us are neurodivergent, creatives, young, old, nerdy, chronically ill, disabled, queer, and trans – and we like it that way.
Questions and doubts…
- We embrace doubt as a part of faith and questions as a part of understanding.
- Our Episcopal tradition prioritizes Common Prayer over right belief. Regardless of our disagreements we can come together in community and pray. On Sunday morning we pray the words of our liturgy together, but it likely means something different to each of us – and we like it that way.
- We acknowledge we are finite. And, sometimes we get to rest in the mystery of not knowing.
Challenge one another…
- We remind each other that God has given each person infinite worth and ineffable value.
- We value inspirational and challenging sermons that connect us to each other and connect our community to the world.
Partner with God…
- We are not alone.
- We invite God’s Spirit to guide us as we seek to live out our Baptismal Covenant.
Work for justice and peace…
- Church does not start or stop at the doors of our building. We actively witness current events and explore their meaning in our liturgies.
- Activism, service, and mutual aid are informed by our connection to God and the example of Jesus. When we meet God in each other we deepen our spiritual lives. (Matthew 25)
Our building…
Located on the corner of Laurel and Howell since 1925, our remodeled sanctuary and well-maintained physical structure are a blessing from our spiritual ancestors. An asset to the community, it is filled with a long-term and mutually invested group of renters. In 2020, we installed solar panels reducing our energy costs and in 2021, our technology was upgraded to support ongoing online access to worship services.