Come and see what awaits.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to get to the core of a denominational identity without being in it. For that reason, please know: you are always invited to worship with us at St. Michael & All Angels church. Episcopalians are a denomination connected by prayer and common worship. There are a myriad of political opinions, social values, and theological beliefs present in our pews on any given Sunday.
We believe this diversity of thought and identity is a blessing—and even though it can be difficult at times—we know it to be a sign of Christ’s reconciling spirit in our midst.
What do we believe?
Our faith is rooted in scripture, informed by tradition, and strengthened by reason.
It is centered on worship submitting ourselves to God as revealed in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are a historic parish in The Episcopal Diocese of Montana of The Episcopal Church and part of the Anglican Communion, an international fellowship of 80 million believers.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world once and for all.
Because we’ve received so much, we seek to give our heart to Jesus through expressions of prayer and service. We don’t have a common confession of faith, however we do subscribe to the historic creeds (Nicene and Apostles) of the Church as accurate representations of the essence of the Christian faith, and in the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican Church as a concise expression of Anglican doctrine.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church, as do folks who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Laypeople and clergy co-operate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God and can be expressed by people of all ages, identities, and abilities in our church.
What can I expect from an Episcopal service?
Landing squarely in the middle of our Roman Catholic and Protestant roots, worship in The Episcopal Church can feel formal at times, and casual in others.
There is a standard order of service, as found in the Book of Common Prayer (to peruse an online version, check this out).
Many prayers and liturgical elements are call-and-response, led by the priest or officiant.
Our music is traditional, and our music team leads the congregation in both ancient and modern hymns.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is central to our church’s identity.
All who wish to encounter Christ, are welcome at the table.
There is no dress code.
We regularly start five minutes late.
FAQs
Is there a dress code?
No.
Most parishioners come to church in jeans. Some add a blazer or don a skirt from time to time. Some come in lounge pants. One toddler is regularly shoe-free.
God doesn’t mind however you like to dress. He’s just excited to have you show up.
Can I take Communion?
The official position of The Episcopal Church is that all baptized Christians may receive the Sacramental gifts of bread and wine. In our church, we take that hospitality one step further to extend the invitation to all persons who feel called to encounter Christ.
If you’re not baptized and regularly receiving the Eucharistic feast, the priest might ask for a conversation on the matter.
What about confession?
Our worship service includes a time for general confession before the celebration of the Great Thanksgiving (Communion). In this confession, we collectively lament the sins we’ve committed and God’s will in our lives which we’ve avoided.
How long do services last?
Worship takes less than 90 minutes, even when the sermon and/or announcements run long, we never go over and hour and a half… although, if you choose to stick around for fellowship—potluck, coffee hour, etc.—you might be there a bit longer.
How do I get in touch with a priest?
Stop by services or reach out via the Contact Us page, and our Rector will respond to you, promptly.
I’d like to receive wood from the Wood Bank.
Please reach out to Pattiann Bennett at using our Contact Us page. Be sure to note what you need and we’ll be in touch with you.
