LETTER FROM THE RECTOR

Greetings. On behalf of the people of St. Paul's I welcome you to our web site. Hopefully your visit to the site will provide you with general information and any specific information that you are seeking.

For those who are looking for a quick summary, I offer the following.

The Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) came into being after the American Revolution when members of the Church of England in the thirteen colonies took steps to form their own identity as a separate church. The church is divided into dioceses around the U.S. Some dioceses cover a whole state. Some cover part of a state. Over each diocese is one or more Bishops who oversee the function of the church in that diocese. The Bishop in Iowa is the Right Rev. Alan Scarfe, whose office is in Des Moines. The typical Sunday service in an Episcopal church is called "The Holy Eucharist." This service is a combination of the "liturgy of the Word," including prayers, scriptures, hymns, and sermon, and the communion, or "liturgy of the table." All worship services used in the Episcopal Church are found in "The Book of Common Prayer."

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Grinnell is a good example of a "typical" Episcopal church. There is a strong emphasis on worship and use of the scripture in worship. Within the worship there is a deep-rooted appreciation of the Holy Communion. St. Paul's distinguishes itself in the diocese with its strong music ministry. The worshipper will notice the musical talents of many who play various instruments, including the organ. Occasionally on Sunday, the only accompaniment is with guitars.

We strive to create a hospitable and open atmosphere. All visitors are welcome. Most often there is a time of refreshments after the service for conversation. Episcopalians realize that newcomers may feel somewhat overwhelmed in a worship service that may seem unfamiliar, or even complicated. It is our fervent desire to include you in this worship. One of our deep joys at this church is coming together to listen, pray, speak, and sing. This deep joy is made deeper and more joyful as we reach out and welcome newcomers into the worship.

There are many programs and activities that are ongoing at St. Paul's, including our Campus Ministry, Social Concerns, and Christian Education. Your inquiries about all that we do are welcome.

Please note the church information for address, phone, and email. My personal email is chasmpope@aol.com. I check it regularly.

Bless you for taking the time to visit our site. And I will say to you what we say to each other informally every Sunday: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Faithfully,

Charles M. Pope, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church