Crossing the Threshold

What is it like to walk into Christ Church ?

What can I expect to see or do?

 

For many people the first time walking into a new church can be a formidable experience, full of wonder but also full of uncertainties. Christ Church is more than a beautiful building; it is a loving and growing family. Everyone that passes through our doors is welcome here. You do not need to be a cradle Episcopalian, nor do you need to be someone of much religious background or church experience. Our worship is unique, but it reaches out to a great variety of people on many different levels. We hope that your first experience at Christ Church will be one that you will not forget, but most importantly we hope that you feel welcome here. If you are searching for a parish, we would like Christ Church to be your church as well. And, if you are visiting, you are always welcome back.

 

Solemn High Mass Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

( 10:00 a.m. during the summer)

 

The principal act of worship on Sundays at Christ Church is the 11:00 a.m. Solemn High Mass with a full choir and a pageantry that is ancient, beautiful, and rounded with a mystic dimension.  In this service of Holy Eucharist (also known as the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper) we bring to God our thanksgiving, our needs, and our praise; and, we are filled by God's true Presence in the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood.  When you enter the church for this Mass, first you will be greeted by an usher and given a bulletin for the day's Service.   If you have any questions about the bulletin or anything else concerning the worship, the ushers would be more than happy to assist you.  Once you find a convenient seat, look through the bulletin you have been handed.  The bulletin contains the order for the Service, the Scripture readings, various prayers, texts of the choir's repertoire, and the music of the Mass that is sung by the whole congregation.  The bulletin also refers to pages in one of two books located at your seat.  The red book before you is the Book of Common Prayer; the bulletin will guide you to texts of longer prayers in the Eucharist found in the Prayer Book, but not printed in the bulletin itself.  The blue book is the Hymnal, and the numbers of the hymns of the day are found in the bulletin. There is a great deal of ceremony observed by both the clergy and the people in the Solemn Mass.  The instructions for when to stand or sit or kneel are all included in the Mass bulletin.  Also, the sign of the cross is made by much of the congregation at various times of prayer and blessing or when adoring the Lord's Presence in the Eucharist; the bulletin notes most places where signing the cross is customary, and it will become apparent when and why one makes the sign of the cross by observing congregants near you.  But, if you are visiting or new to our form of worship, or if our customs are not how you prefer to pray, please feel free to disregard these instructions and gestures.  The congregation is not a drill team, so you need not be concerned about "making a mistake."  More importantly, if you have trouble standing or kneeling you may remain seated for the whole Service. Solemn Mass usually lasts close to an hour and a half.

 

After the Service, please make sure either to sign the guest book at the back of the church. The guest book provides you an opportunity to let us know about which subjects and ministries in our parish you would like more information.   At Christ Church, we are always happy to meet and welcome new visitors.and to discuss our building, our traditions, and our parish life. But, if you are a more private person in your religious devotion, shy about meeting folks in a church setting, attending church for prayer and reflection only, or just on a tight schedule: you are still most welcome here. Many of us are shy and private about the time we spend with God ourselves, so have no fear of being "glad-handed."

 

The atmosphere of our church nave is rather quiet and contemplative to set a prayerful mood, but a festive and informal coffee hour follows the Solemn Mass. Please join us so that we can become better acquainted and share cheerful company.

 

Sundays at 8 a.m. and 9a.m.

Christ Church also celebrates a Low Mass and a Rite II Holy Eucharist with hymns at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (respectively) on Sundays. These Masses are much shorter and less formal than the 11 a.m. Solemn High Mass yet possess a beautiful devotion and dignity all their own. The 8:00 a.m. Mass is held in the Lady Chapel (to the right of the High Altar) and is a simple, traditional Service with no hymns or sung portions. The text (like that of the 11a.m. ) is the Holy Eucharist according to Rite I. The 9:00 a.m. Mass is according to Rite II (contemporary language), and it is celebrated around a free standing altar at the church crossing between the congregation and the choir chancel or at the High Altar with the congregation seated in the choir stalls. This liturgy offered by the clergy and people is modern and refined to the essentials of the Eucharist, but a sense of deep prayer and reverence is maintained here, as well.  The 9:00 a.m. Service includes hymns and musical parts of the liturgy, as well as occasional soloists or instrumentalists who inspire the congregation to prayer during the Mass.

 

Other Services

 

Christ Church offers weekday Masses at regular posted times (see "Daily Worship Schedule" on the Menu Bar). These Masses usually resemble the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist (though they alternate between Rite I and Rite II language) and are held in the Lady Chapel.  Through the daily offering of the Holy Eucharist, Christ Church continually shows forth the great acts of God in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through which, we believe, all creation has been made new.  So, each day we bring our supplications and our thanksgiving before God as we offer ourselves to God's service and will, all in communion with the one great self-offering of Jesus, Our Lord.

Each day at Christ Church begins with prayer and reflection on the Psalms and Scriptures in the Office of Morning Prayer (see "Daily Worship Schedule" for times).   Christ Church also celebrates the major and minor Feasts of the year, which are announced in the church newsletter and on this website. From time to time the beautiful Anglican Office of Evensong is sung by the Choir on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. When Yale University is in session, the Office of Compline occurs Sunday evenings at 9:00 p.m. and is entirely sung by the choir in a dark, candlelit church.

 

However you decide to participate in the worship of Christ Church and whichever Service best fits you, we hope that you will find a spiritual home at Christ Church and with the Christ Church family.

 

Becoming a Member

 

One may worship at Christ Church for any amount of time without officially "joining." But, if you do worship with us and are interested in a more formal status of membership, please contact Fr. Cobb, the Rector. Being a member of Christ Church allows one to participate more fully in the life, ministry, and governance of the parish. If you are a confirmed Episcopalian, we would be glad to discuss "transferring" your official membership from a former parish. If you come from another Christian tradition, you can begin the process of Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church. If you have never been baptized and find the grace of the Christian Faith here at Christ Church , it is always a profound joy to prepare seekers of Faith for the mystery of Holy Baptism into the Body of Christ here. Please contact Fr. Cobb via email.