Saint Mary’s is an inclusive, welcoming place, and we look forward to saying hello, showing you around, and making sure your experience makes you want to return often!
What should I wear?
You are invited to wear whatever feels comfortable. You will see a wide variety of attire at our services, classes and events. Many parishioners are comfortable in casual wear but some prefer more formal dress. Currently, masks or face coverings are required of all persons over age 2 at indoor gatherings, and highly recommended for outdoor gatherings as well.
Where do I park?
Our campus is on both sides of St Mary’s Church Road just off of Emmorton Road (Rt 924). The Church is on the right and offers a limited number of parking spots. Folks tend to park there for our 8:00am service. Our main parking lot, as well as our Offices, Educational Building, Fellowship Hall, Chapel and restrooms are on your left. Folks tend to park here for our Formation hour and 10:15 am service on Sunday and for weekday activities.
What opportunities are provided for children during church?
Children are encouraged and welcome to attend and participate in all of our services. We have a “soft space” in our sanctuary for little ones to play quietly during the service.
Where should I sit in church?
You may sit anywhere. Available seating is designed to support social distancing guidelines. If you need special seating for any reason, please inform our ushers when you arrive (these are the folks giving out bulletins). If you have special needs, for example you need communion brought to you, gluten allergies, the ushers can help you. There are no rest room facilities in the church, restrooms are across the street in the Education Building.
What if I am not an Episcopalian?
Many who visit Saint Mary’s come from other faith traditions, and all are welcome and encouraged to participate. You will be given a service bulletin as you enter. The Book of Common Prayer and Hymnals have been temporarily removed from pews to maximize safety. You will find readings in the bulletin, which you are encouraged to take with you after the service.
All are invited to share Communion at God’s Table. We currently offer Communion “in one kind’ only, meaning we offer bread (wafer) but not the communal cup. We offer gluten free wafers for those who need them.
How long is the service?
Currently we offer an abbreviated service the runs about 40 minutes. Typically, Sunday worship services are about an hour and fifteen minutes long, our weekday service runs 30 minutes.
Is there Christian Education on Sunday?
Yes. On Sundays we have an intergenerational Christian Formation in the Parish House across the street from the church, in the café lobby from 9:15-10:00.
Adults and children* with special needs
Everyone is welcome. If you yourself have, or if you have children who have, some sort of special need you may have additional questions. Food restrictions, hearing, mobility, sight and ESE are all covered below. Please let us know if you have a need we have not covered.
Dietary restrictions
Gluten. Our Eucharistic Services all have a Gluten free option. When you come for communion simply tell the priest you need gluten free bread. Gluten free bread is available at all Sunday Services.
Alcohol: Our wine contains alcohol. If, for any reason, you would rather not receive the wine, please just cross your arms across your chest. Usually the chalice-bearer will stop and say “The Blood of Christ” but will know to then move on. Receiving communion in one kind (just bread or just wine) has long been understood to be just as good as taking both.
Mobility accessibility
All of our venues are accessible. A portable ramp can be used for access to the church for those using wheelchairs or walkers. There is an elevator in the Education Building and ramps for accessibility from our parking lot.
Hearing assistance
We have a Hearing assist system in our sanctuary. Ask an usher for a device.
Visual assistance
We have large print bulletins available. Please ask the Ushers. Ushers will also be happy to help you to your seat and assist you in getting to communion.
*Children with special needs
We understand children have a wide range of needs, and we hope to provide a safe place where every child, including those with different abilities, can grow in faith. All children are welcome in our worship services. Children in Sunday School have the option of having an assigned “buddy,” an older youth or adult volunteer assigned specifically to them to discretely ensure that the participant is safe and comfortable at all times. If your child has a special need which would require greater expertise than a general volunteer can provide, a parent is welcome to accompany the participant at programs for children or youth, or we can work together to find a volunteer who has professional special needs expertise to support your child.