FAQ

Visiting a Church for the first time can be a scary thing. You might see a Church while driving home from work and your curiosity says, “Maybe I should visit that Church someday.” However, all you know is what you have seen from the comfort of your car. You don’t know what the worship service is like. You don’t know what the congregation believes. You don’t know what the people will be like. You don’t know the size of the congregation. There are a lot of uncertainties about coming to a Church. That is why we offer this section of our website.

“What are the people at Holy Guardian Angels like?

We live in a fast paced world. We run from work to home to the grocery store to the soccer fields. Often times, we don’t have the time to stop and enjoy each other’s company. At Holy Guardian Angels, we want to fellowship with one another. We are one body in Christ and we want to live as such. Not only do we spend time talking and laughing before and after services but we also fellowship outside of Sunday morning. A few men regularly go to the men’ club and cigar night. The women of the Church are very active working  in all  kind of event to  support their projects but also  they  have activities others activities such as  lunch  once a month, wine tastings, card-marking events, antique shopping trips among other things. The entire Church enjoys  a brunch after services twice a month.

A common misconception is that Church goers, especially those of a traditional Church, are stuffy and standoffish people who don’t like newcomers. Nothing is farther from the truth at Holy Guardian Angels. It is our desire to develop and harvest a family atmosphere where Sunday morning is only a portion of our Church life. And when you come to visit, we want you to experience our fellowship and warmth firsthand. We want you to feel comfortable and to enjoy Holy Guardian Angles  as much as we do.

You will find in Holy Guardian Angels a caring, loving and welcoming  family  of believers. Please, come and  join us!

“Is The Holy Guardian Angels a big or small Parish?

The best way to answer this  question is to say that we are a growing Church family. Our regular Sunday attendance ranges around 60 to 70 people. One of the advantages of joining a Church like Holy Guardian Angels is  all of us here are part  of a great community where “everybody knows your name” and all of us are “glad you came”.

 

“How long is your service?”

 

Since our service comes from the Common Book of Prayer Book 1928 and the Anglican Misal, the length is pretty much the same every week. The only thing that varies is the length of the sermon and the time it takes to distribute Communion. Father Kennedy and Fr. Sears typically preached for about 15 minutes each week. Overall, our service is one hour and fifteen minutes long. Fellowship afterwards can vary in length.

 

 

“We have young children. Is that a problem?”

Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in the number of young children and we are thoroughly delighted with that. We wholeheartedly believe that Worship involves the entire family and that worship is an essential part in raising our children in the ways of God. But we also understand that children can get fidgety and that it can be difficult for them to understand everything that we say or preach in our service. To that end, we offer “Nursery” for children ages 3 to 8.This is a time for the children to be together learning  of  our church. Every week, in the parish nursery  room, they have an opportunity to sing and to  learn the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, have a time of discussing and confessing sin and hearing a Bible story. It is very much like our “grown-up” worship but on their level. The children return to the main service with the congregation  before the offertory to be ready  for the distribution of Holy Communion and remain with their family through the end of the service. For those with younger children.

“What is worship like at Holy Guardian Angels?”

Simply put – we have a very traditional form of worship. That always prompts the question, “What does that mean?” When we say “Traditional” we mean that we have things like candlesticks, older hymns, bells, organ music, pews, and ornate garments. We also recognize that there are many wonderful hymns In addition, we use a Prayer Book that leads us through the service each week.

We believe that these traditional symbols & actions teach us about God, Jesus, and the Gospel. For example, the candlesticks teach us about Christ being the light of the world and the white garments teach us that we are washed clean in the blood of Jesus. As Revelation tells us – Those arrayed in white robes were those washed in the blood of the Lamb.

If you have never been to a “Traditional” Church, it can be quite different. But don’t be afraid about that. We will provide you with an easy to use layout of the service and are more than willing to answer or explain any questions or curiosities you may have.

“What is your Clergy- Priests like?”

Our Priests

Can we come to Communion?”

Holy Guardian Angels is a Church that invites everyone to Communion provided that they are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and that they love the Divine Lord Jesus Christ with all sincerity.

What does the church believe about Saints?
The word “Saint” means “holy person.” The church understands the Saints to be exemplary Christians from whom we, as followers of Christ, learn about the Christian life. The Saints are not worshipped or adored like God, but the Church holds up and remembers the lives of particular Saints at various appointed times during the year. The prayers of the Saints in heaven assist the faithful on earth according to the Revelation of St. John (5:8 and 8:3-4 in the light of 6:9-11.)

How is the Anglican Catholic Church different from the Episcopal Church?

The Anglican Catholic Church faith and practice is based on scripture and tradition and does not conform itself to current culture as is seen as the practice in the Episcopal Church.

Does the word Catholic in your name mean that the church is like a Roman Catholic Church?

Yes, in some ways. However, the tradition of our church is from the ancient Catholic Church of England. The ACC, along with the Eastern Orthodox Church, does not accept the papal claims of absolute universal authority adopted by the Roman Catholic Church. It is important to note that the word “catholic” means whole and universal, and is applicable to all churches based on tradition and scripture, and derives its importance in the Nicene and Apostles Creeds.