Frequently Asked Questions about Sunday Worship Services
This picture was taken pre-covid.
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Whether you are searching for a church home, dropping by for a spiritual boost, or visiting the island for work or play, you are welcome at St. Clement's.
Below are some of the questions we get asked, or think we might get asked, and our responses. If you don't find what you are looking for, feel free to submit a question here and one of our clergy or staff will reply soon. Mahalo! |
When are worship services at St. Clement's?
We have one worship service every Sunday morning:
9:30am - Holy Eucharist (Communion)
What can I expect when I visit? (Will I have to stand up and introduce myself?)
St. Clement's strives to be a welcoming congregation. When you arrive, you can expect to be greeted by a member of our Welcoming Ministry Team (a "greeter") or usher at the front of the church. They will be glad to answer any questions you have about our church and the way we worship. After the service, the clergy greet worshipers on their way out of the church and are available to answer any questions you have about our community. On Sundays, we have a coffee hour after each service, which serves as an opportunity to meet other parishioners.
Oh, and no, you won't have to stand to introduce yourself. But we hope you'll tell us your name and let us get to know you before and after the service! Also, please take a moment to fill out one of the visitor cards. These can be obtained from the greeters or ushers.
Are your facilities accessible?
We have an access ramp near the front of the church on the playground side of the church's porte-cochere. Accessible single-stall (non-gendered) restrooms are located in our Parish House a few steps away. A baby changer is located in the last restroom. In worship, we frequently bring Communion to those unable to come forward to receive. If you have a concern or need, please let us know. Ushers will be glad to assist as able. If you have questions or concerns, we invite you to contact us in advance of the service, by calling the parish office (808.955.7745), or by email.
How do people dress at worship?
Come as you are. Folks dress in a variety of ways at St. Clement's. Folks are varied; aloha wear and shorts are not uncommon. In either service, whether you are a tourist or a local, come as you are.
If I have questions, whom should I ask?
Ideally, anyone! But ushers and greeters tend to have more answers readily available. If you need something, don't be afraid to ask, and if someone doesn't know the answer, they can help you find an usher or greeter, or direct you to one of our priests.
What if I am not an Episcopalian? Or not a Christian?
You won't be the only one. We have regulars and visitors from other Christian traditions, and from other religious traditions. Whether we become a home for you on your spiritual journey or a stopping place for refreshment, we hope you experience our community as a place of welcome and spiritual growth. If you have questions or want to discuss worshiping with us, feel free to ask our clergy.
Where do I go when I get there?
When you pull into the parking lot, you'll see our church building. On the right is our Paul and Vi Loo Parish House, in which our offices and meeting spaces are located.
If you need a nursery or have children or teens attending Sunday School, our ushers can help you locate the right rooms. Our campus map also has the age groups' classes noted: see our parish grounds map, click here.
What is "Episcopal," and how is it pronounced?
"Episcopal" comes from the Greek term used in scripture for the word "bishop." We call ourselves Episcopal because we organize ourselves in clusters of churches called a "diocese" - and each diocese has a bishop. It is pronounced with an emphasis on the "i-s", appropriately the quintessential verb is - to be - reminding us that faith is not just an intellectual exercise, it is part of who are, and who we are becoming.
Is there parking?
We do have a parking lot for the church and generally can find room for everyone. If not, we'll make room. If you have trouble parking, it is okay to double park, just be sure to let one of the ushers know - they can either help you find better parking, or be aware in case the blocked person needs to leave.
What do children do during worship?
While children are welcome to join us for the entire worship service, during the school year we offer Sunday school classes during the 10:15 service (beginning at 10:00am), and our Family Ministries Team coordinates special events periodically through the summer. Sunday school and Nursery take the summer months off as a break and usually resume in mid-August.
Do I have to check my brains at the door?
Absolutely not. Questioning our faith, even doubting, can be a sign of faith. If you have questions or like to question, what you believe, we are a church where you can have a thoughtful conversation as part of your faith formation. Reason is not only an important source of authority within the church (Scripture, Tradition, and Reason). Loving God with our mind is part of the greatest commandment of Scripture!
Do you take the Bible seriously?
We do take the Bible seriously. In fact, we take it so seriously that we have four distinct readings from scripture every Sunday - as part of our worship: one from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), another one from the Psalms, one from the Epistles (or Acts or Revelation), and one from the Gospels. In the course of three years, we faithfully read and hear aloud in church a significant portion of the Bible - almost all of it. Our priests' sermons invite us to hear and take seriously the scriptures but also invite us into conversation with and about them (see the question above!). But just because we take the Bible seriously does not mean we take it literally. We struggle together to understand and find personal meaning as we continue to learn and share the story. In addition to sermons in worship, we offer Christian formation that helps us learn scripture and explore current issues in smaller and larger group formats. In addition, we offer book studies, and Bible studies, and bring noteworthy speakers to the Parish periodically.
We have one worship service every Sunday morning:
9:30am - Holy Eucharist (Communion)
What can I expect when I visit? (Will I have to stand up and introduce myself?)
St. Clement's strives to be a welcoming congregation. When you arrive, you can expect to be greeted by a member of our Welcoming Ministry Team (a "greeter") or usher at the front of the church. They will be glad to answer any questions you have about our church and the way we worship. After the service, the clergy greet worshipers on their way out of the church and are available to answer any questions you have about our community. On Sundays, we have a coffee hour after each service, which serves as an opportunity to meet other parishioners.
Oh, and no, you won't have to stand to introduce yourself. But we hope you'll tell us your name and let us get to know you before and after the service! Also, please take a moment to fill out one of the visitor cards. These can be obtained from the greeters or ushers.
Are your facilities accessible?
We have an access ramp near the front of the church on the playground side of the church's porte-cochere. Accessible single-stall (non-gendered) restrooms are located in our Parish House a few steps away. A baby changer is located in the last restroom. In worship, we frequently bring Communion to those unable to come forward to receive. If you have a concern or need, please let us know. Ushers will be glad to assist as able. If you have questions or concerns, we invite you to contact us in advance of the service, by calling the parish office (808.955.7745), or by email.
How do people dress at worship?
Come as you are. Folks dress in a variety of ways at St. Clement's. Folks are varied; aloha wear and shorts are not uncommon. In either service, whether you are a tourist or a local, come as you are.
If I have questions, whom should I ask?
Ideally, anyone! But ushers and greeters tend to have more answers readily available. If you need something, don't be afraid to ask, and if someone doesn't know the answer, they can help you find an usher or greeter, or direct you to one of our priests.
What if I am not an Episcopalian? Or not a Christian?
You won't be the only one. We have regulars and visitors from other Christian traditions, and from other religious traditions. Whether we become a home for you on your spiritual journey or a stopping place for refreshment, we hope you experience our community as a place of welcome and spiritual growth. If you have questions or want to discuss worshiping with us, feel free to ask our clergy.
Where do I go when I get there?
When you pull into the parking lot, you'll see our church building. On the right is our Paul and Vi Loo Parish House, in which our offices and meeting spaces are located.
If you need a nursery or have children or teens attending Sunday School, our ushers can help you locate the right rooms. Our campus map also has the age groups' classes noted: see our parish grounds map, click here.
What is "Episcopal," and how is it pronounced?
"Episcopal" comes from the Greek term used in scripture for the word "bishop." We call ourselves Episcopal because we organize ourselves in clusters of churches called a "diocese" - and each diocese has a bishop. It is pronounced with an emphasis on the "i-s", appropriately the quintessential verb is - to be - reminding us that faith is not just an intellectual exercise, it is part of who are, and who we are becoming.
Is there parking?
We do have a parking lot for the church and generally can find room for everyone. If not, we'll make room. If you have trouble parking, it is okay to double park, just be sure to let one of the ushers know - they can either help you find better parking, or be aware in case the blocked person needs to leave.
What do children do during worship?
While children are welcome to join us for the entire worship service, during the school year we offer Sunday school classes during the 10:15 service (beginning at 10:00am), and our Family Ministries Team coordinates special events periodically through the summer. Sunday school and Nursery take the summer months off as a break and usually resume in mid-August.
Do I have to check my brains at the door?
Absolutely not. Questioning our faith, even doubting, can be a sign of faith. If you have questions or like to question, what you believe, we are a church where you can have a thoughtful conversation as part of your faith formation. Reason is not only an important source of authority within the church (Scripture, Tradition, and Reason). Loving God with our mind is part of the greatest commandment of Scripture!
Do you take the Bible seriously?
We do take the Bible seriously. In fact, we take it so seriously that we have four distinct readings from scripture every Sunday - as part of our worship: one from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), another one from the Psalms, one from the Epistles (or Acts or Revelation), and one from the Gospels. In the course of three years, we faithfully read and hear aloud in church a significant portion of the Bible - almost all of it. Our priests' sermons invite us to hear and take seriously the scriptures but also invite us into conversation with and about them (see the question above!). But just because we take the Bible seriously does not mean we take it literally. We struggle together to understand and find personal meaning as we continue to learn and share the story. In addition to sermons in worship, we offer Christian formation that helps us learn scripture and explore current issues in smaller and larger group formats. In addition, we offer book studies, and Bible studies, and bring noteworthy speakers to the Parish periodically.
Have a question that isn't answered? Please let us know, by clicking here.
