Is this your first time at St. Paul's?

All of us are nervous the first time we do something new, because we're not sure what to expect. We want you to come to St. Paul's, and we want you to be comfortable, so we've put together this page to answer some of the questions first-timers have about St. Paul's.

We'll tell you how to find St. Paul's, where to park, where to enter the building, what kind of clothes people wear, where to sit, what's in those books in the pews, where the bathrooms are, and where your kids might want to go. We'll also talk about the church service, receiving Holy Communion , and where to get coffee after the service. We'll also define some of the words people in the Anglican church use when they talk. Usually, they are words founded in ancient tradition and you should not be put off by them. It's a chance to increase your vocabulary!

This page has many links (in blue) on it, to help you with words that may be unfamiliar. Please feel free to click any link you see.

Where is St. Paul's?

We're in San Miguel de Allende's El Centro at Calzado del Cardo #6, about a block off the Ancha de San Antonio as you go toward Benito Juarez Parque. Any San Miguel taxi driver will know the location, just ask for "Iglesia San Pablo" on Cardo. Click here for a map.

If you haven't found San Miguel de Allende, start here!

Where can we park?

Parking can be difficult at St. Paul's -- as more visitors come to our beautiful city, the streets can get clogged with traffic and parked cars.  However, on Sunday mornings you can usually park right in front of the Church.  Or somewhere nearby on Cardo.   If you do park out front, try to follow the cue of others who park at an angle to the brick wall across the street.  It gives everyone more room.  If you are attending the 9 a.m. Sunday service, or the 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Healing Service, you should have no problem parking.

If you require handicapped parking, you may find a spot in front of the Church.  Alternatively, our Sexton Ernesto is regularlly on hand before Sunday services.  He'll open the driveway gate so you can drive up to the Church to allow a handicapped person get out of the car at the Parish Hall door and then park your car on the street.

Which door do we use?

St. Paul's has three entrances. There's the main front door clearly visible from the street. You can also enter through the Parish Hall door at the end of the driveway, or through the Chapel door which is at the opposite end of the portico from the Parish Hall door. There's one step up at the front door. There are no steps at the Parish Hall and Chapel doors. Be aware that if you enter through the Parish Hall, there is a short ramp from the Hall into the Chapel (a little steep, but it replaces a former step-down).

The front door leads you directly into the nave. If you enter through the Parish Hall, you'll walk to your right to the door into the Chapel, and straight ahead into the nave. From the Chapel entrance, just turn to the right and you're in the nave.

What do people wear?

Dress is casual for most folks in San Miguel.  But folks dress neatly for Church, usually an open-collar shirt and slacks (for men) or in slacks or skirts and blouses (for women). But if you have after-church plans, feel free to put on your "Sunday Best".  You'll be comfortable either way.  The kids wear the same clothes they wear to school.. Some people do come in jeans or work clothes. We're a comfortable place: we won't judge you by what you wear.

Where should we sit?

The short answer is "anywhere you want to." Each of St. Paul's pews comfortably seat about five people. The Chapel, located to the left at the front of the nave, has pews that each seat fewer people.  If its a full house, this is often used as an extra seating area.  Often parents with younger children feel more comfortable here rather than being in the nave.  The bottom line is: feel free to use any pew you want to!

If you use a wheelchair, you may wish to use space in the Chapel, or in the church in front of the front pews.

What are these books and leaflets?

As you enter church, the ushers outside will give you a leaflet, containing the Order of Service for that Sunday.

Each pew has black Prayer Books, blue Hymnals and a leaflet marked "Service Music".  The Prayer Book contains all of the services of the Episcopal Church. On Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. At both Sunday services we use Rite II, a more contemporary version of the service, with hymns sung by the choir and the people. The Order of Service you received from the usher will tell you the page numbers of the service in the Prayer Book, and you will find most of the service printed there.  The "Service Music" folder at the pew has the music and words for that part of the service that is sung.

The hymn numbers, printed in the Order of Service, are also posted on the hymn boards on the both side walls of the nave.

Where are the bathrooms?

At the left front of the nave, a door leads to the Parish Hall.  Walk straight ahead to the opposite wall and you'll find the bathrooms in a small hallway on your right.

What about our children?

Children are an important part of our life at St. Paul's. They're welcome to be with you in church and to take full part in the service. For the youngest children, we have care available in our conference room area.  Ask an usher to assist you if you'd prefer not to have your child with you during services.

What happens during the service?

The 10:30 service of Holy Eucharist begins with an entrance hymn, while the priest and other celebrants process to the altar. The priest greets the people, and we ask God to open our hearts today.

We listen to three readings from the Bible. Usually, we hear one reading from the Old Testament one reading from one of the New Testament Epistles and a Gospel reading. The priest reaches a sermon based on the readings we've heard, and we proclaim our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.

We pray together for the world, the church, our families and our friends, and give thanks for what God has given us. Then, we ask God's forgiveness for our sins and greet each other with the Peace of the Lord. At this point, the choir sings an Anthem as the ushers pass from pew to pew to accept our offerings, which are then brought to the Altar.

The Holy Eucharist continues then as the priest says the prayer of consecration over the gifts of bread and wine, which closes with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest and those at the altar receive both bread and wine, and then the congregation comes to the altar rail to receive, again both bread and wine. You are welcome to kneel or stand when receiving, whichever is most comfortable for you.  Finally, after a prayer of thanksgiving and a closing hymn , the priest dismisses the congregation, and we leave the church .

Most of us head for the Parish Hall for fellowship while others leave directly for home or their other activities of the day.  If you have made plans to take the very popular Biblioteque "House Tour" from the 10:30 service, you should feel comfortable leaving just before or after Holy Eucharist

The 9:00 a.m. Sunday service is structured very similarly, but no hymns are sung.  The same is true for the 9:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist on Wednesday mornings.

Can I go to Communion?

Holy Eucharist is the family meal for Christians. All who are baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in any Christian tradition, are welcome to receive Communion . Even children receive: you will see many young members approach the rail. (The Anglican Church does not require a First Communion at a specific age.) Most people receive both the bread and the wine, although some prefer to receive the bread only.

At St. Paul's you are encouraged stand or kneel, according to your traditions and comfort, to receive Communion at the altar rail. If you hold your hands out, the priest will place the bread in your hands. You may eat it immediately, or wait for the wine and dip the bread into it. If you've eaten the bread, you may sip the wine from the cup. If you or your child wants to receive a blessing instead of the bread or wine, cross your arms over your chest.

If you have a physical disability that prevents you from approaching the rail, speak to an usher, and the priest will take Communion to you in your seat.

What happens after the service?

After each service, most of us, including the Rector, head for the Parish Hall for fellowship, coffee, and often special 'goodies' supplied by someone celebrating a birthday or other event.  It is a wonderful opportunity to meet parishioners who live in San Miguel year round and a chance to meet other visitors to Mexico. Please join us!   You'll be glad you did!

This page was inspired by (and contains a great deal of content from a similar page on) the website of Trinity Church, Milford, MA, USA.  It is used with permission and our thanks to Trinity and its webmaster Steve Ketchum.  You are invited to check out their excellent site: http://www.lightband.com/~trinity/