Everybody has questions.
Whether you're unfamiliar with the Episcopal tradition, or looking for answers about our core beliefs, questions are a natural part of the church experience. In fact, no question is off-limits and the Bible encourages us to closely examine our faith. There are some questions we get asked a lot about, but if the answers below do not sufficiently address your specific questions, please reach out to us directly.
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About our parish… |
What should I expect when I visit st pj's?
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If joining us in person, expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you're embraced from the moment you enter. Our Services are centered in Holy Communion and Morning Prayer, and feature beautiful jazz music, thoughtful sermons, and inclusive prayers.
You'll find us a diverse community of people who are passionate about making a difference in the world in faithfulness to our Baptismal Vows: “We will continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. We will persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord. We will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. We will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. We will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” |
WHAT is this i hear about Jazz music?
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At St. PJ's, we've added a unique Jazz component to traditional and modern hymns. Led by our talented music director, Will Cleary, Jazz enhances worshippers' ability to experience the divine. We prize congregational singing, and that while the musicians may “jazz up” the introduction to hymns, and play a musical bridge in the middle, there are ample opportunities for us to lift our voices to sing and clap with joy. The jazz response to the sermon enables the congregation to go deeper; an emotional and spiritual response to God’s grace and love we experience in worship. We hope you will experience it too!
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WHAT does your parish do TO STAY CONNECTED?
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To foster our spiritual disciplines, we offer Wednesday Noonday Prayer and Thursday Compline Zoom services. Several ministry groups meet pastoral care needs, prayer team, worship support in Altar Guild, lay readers, song leaders, fellowship and other activities. Here's a glimpse of some of our fellowship activities:
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Who is st. pj?
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"St. PJ" is our endearing nickname for The Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James. Our church is dedicated to the apostles Paul and James, who played vital roles in the early Christian church. The name and dual dedication came about in 1994, when "The Episcopal Church of St. Paul" in Wooster Square merged with "St. James the Apostle" in Westville.
While our full name may be a bit of a tongue-twister, "St. PJ's" warmly captures the spirit of our inclusive and welcoming community. |
How did st. pj's church get started?
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This question actually has three answers! St. Paul's began in 1829, St. James began in 1835, and the two merged to become the St. PJ's we know and love today in 1994. While we continue to worship in the building that was once St. Paul's, we are proud to carry on the legacies of both historical parishes.
St. Paul's began as a response to the rapid expansion of Trinity Church in New Haven under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell. In the bustling Wooster Square neighborhood, St. Paul's was established as a "chapel of ease" for the growing community, later breaking away to become its own independent parish. The church's iconic Gothic Revival structure, built in 1829-1830, stands as a testament to the enduring faith and vision of its founders, and continues to serve as the physical home of St. PJ's. St. James the Apostle was founded in the town of Westville (now a New Haven neighborhood) shortly thereafter, in 1835. Throughout its combined history, St. Paul & St. James has been a beacon of hope and compassion, embracing the diverse populations of New Haven with open arms. From its early days as a hub for social outreach and education to its present role as a center for community gathering and support, St. PJ's has remained steadfast in its commitment to serving others. Today, the church continues to honor its legacy by partnering with organizations like Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe, providing essential resources and fellowship to those in need. As we look to the future, we are excited to build upon this foundation of faith, love, and service, striving to make a positive impact in our community for generations to come. |
Is st. PJ's A WELCOMING PLACE FOR CHILDREN?
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We are thrilled to announce the beginning of our Sunday School program which is taught by our very own Molly Clayton. Molly Clayton holds a degree in elementary education and biblical studies with a tenure of 10 years teaching experience. Her family consists of two children and two dogs. St. PJS is committed to creating an environment where children understand God's love without expectations, and explore their faith through relevant experiences and child-lead learning.
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WHAT IS CONFIRMATION AND DO I NEED TO BE CONFIRMED TO JOIN THE CHURCH?
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Simply put, confirmation is taking charge of one's faith, and it starts with a short class to learn about church traditions, church history, and the book of common prayer. Confirmation and reception is performed by the bishop when they visit. You don’t have to be confirmed or received in the Episcopal church to be a member. Baptism is encouraged, but membership is more of an outward expression of faith and a renewed commitment to Christ.
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DO I HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE Episcopal church to receive communion?
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All are welcome at God's table. Baptized Christians may receive Holy Communion, and anyone may receive a blessing.
What we love about baptism is that it is a common sign that unites all Christians. Because of that, we recognize any baptism that is performed under the sign of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- whether it was done in the Episcopal Church or not. If you haven't been baptized, you are most definitely invited to ask our priest about becoming baptized! |
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DECISION MAKING AT THE CHURCH?
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The parish is led by our priest-in-charge, along with the co-wardens and vestry (lay leaders elected by the congregation).
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About our values… |
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR"?
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Loving thy neighbor means treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of their background or beliefs. It means standing up for justice and working to create a world where all are valued and welcomed. At St. PJ's, we are blessed with a historic building that we share with outreach ministries who diligently serve our neighborhood.
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HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH ENCOURAGE racial justice?
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One of the ways we live out our faith is through our commitment to confronting systemic racism, advocating for equity and inclusion, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. This means actively listening to those who have been silenced, supporting policies that promote justice and dismantle systems of oppression, and engaging in ongoing education and dialogue about race and privilege.
Want to get involved? We are dedicated to restoring racial equity in our community. Contact us if you would like to learn more about our efforts in this space. |
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH?
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Women, men, and non-binary individuals can all play the same roles! All people are able to participate in the leadership of the Episcopal Church at all levels regardless of sex, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Want to get involved? We encourage women and people of all gender expressions to fully participate in our church. Contact us if you have more questions. |
ARE LGBTQIA+ FOLKS WELCOME?
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Absolutely! In our church, all are welcome and affirmed for who they are. We believe that every person is a beloved child of God, deserving of love, respect, and acceptance. LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families are valued members of our community, and we are committed to creating a space where everyone can fully participate and thrive.
And to be very clear: When we say welcome, we mean included at all levels of parish life and leadership. Want to get involved? We encourage LGBTQIA+ folks to fully integrate into our church just as they are. Contact us if you would like to participate in any aspect of our services! |
SHOULD THE CHURCH CARE FOR OUR EARTH AND HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
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We believe that we are called by God to care for creation, we support policies that protect the natural resources that sustain all life on Earth. We call for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable energy, encourage the safe and just use of natural resources, and support communities impacted by a lack of environmental stewardship and environmental racism.
Want to get involved? We encourage you to prayerfully consider volunteering your time at our community garden team. Contact us for more information! |
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About our beliefs… |
Who is God?
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God is the heartbeat of our universe, the source of all love and goodness. In our church, we believe in a God who is both transcendent and immanent, present in every moment of our lives. We see God's love reflected in the diversity of creation and in the relationships we build with one another.
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WHAT IS THE BIBLE AND WHO WROTE IT?
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We read, preach, study, and pray using the Bible (NRSV, etc). This collection of sacred texts tell the story of God's relationship with humanity. It was written over the course of a millennium by many authors, each inspired by their own experiences of God's presence. It is a poetic collection of myths, history, hymns, poetry, narratives, and memories of Jesus’ followers. In interpreting these divinely-inspired texts, we take context into account, and draw on the Church’s traditions, modern science, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is not a science book or a rule book; it is a love story: God’s love for all people.
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WHO WAS JESUS AND WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE?
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Jesus was a teacher, healer, and revolutionary who lived over 2,000 years ago. His message was one of love, compassion, and justice. He challenged the status quo, welcomed the outcast, and showed us what it means to live with integrity and humility.
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WHat does it mean to be a christian?
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Being a Christian means following in the footsteps of Jesus, striving to live out his teachings in our daily lives. It means loving our neighbors as ourselves, seeking justice for the marginalized, and extending grace to all.
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who is the holy spirit?
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The Holy Spirit is the presence of God that dwells within us and among us. It is the source of inspiration, guidance, and comfort in our lives. The Spirit empowers us to live out our faith with courage and conviction.
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what is the book of common prayer?
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The Book of Common Prayer (https://bcponline.org) derived from ancient spiritual traditions and biblical texts provides for private and home devotions as well as for our public worship. In it you will find prayers for the world, for the church, for national life, for the social order, for the natural order, and prayers for family and personal life. You will also find dozens of public worship services – some, like Holy Eucharist, that we use on a regular basis, and others for special occasions such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. The Prayer Book includes liturgies for baptism, confirmation, and reaffirmation, for weddings, and funerals, and for other occasions when the space between us and the divine is the thinnest. The Book of Common Prayer gives us words for times when we have no words, and for times when it is best to let someone else’s words wash over us.
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does science contradict christianity?
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In our church, we see science and faith as complementary rather than contradictory. We believe that both offer valuable insights into the nature of reality and that they can enrich our understanding of God's creation.
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why should someone become a christian?
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Becoming a Christian is a personal journey that offers meaning, purpose, and community. It is an invitation to join in the work of building a more just and compassionate world, guided by the teachings of Jesus.
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WHy do people go to church?
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People go to church for many reasons – to worship, to find support and community, to grow spiritually, and to serve others. It's a place where we can come together to seek God's presence and support one another on our journey of faith.
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About the Episcopal Church… |
WHAT DOES "EPISCOPAL" MEAN?
Episcopal is a word that means “bishops” and is used to describe our denomination because of the hierarchical bishop structure that defines our church.
what is the structure of the episcopal church?
The Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA is one of many churches that make up the Anglican communion making it the third largest denomination in the world. Each church is independent but we walk in communion with one another. Every Anglican Church takes the prayer book and relates it to their context. For the Episcopal Church of the USA, we use the Book of Common Prayer. We walk together in worship come what may. Traditions and worship may vary, for example some Episcopal churches rely on large Choirs to lead their music, at St. PJs we use Jazz music when we worship. Baptism and communion are other ways that Anglican Christians connect with one another. We all pray the same prayers and their form.
what is the "Liturgical calendar"?
The Liturgical Calendar is like a roadmap for our journey through the Christian year. It guides us through seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time, each with its own themes and traditions. It helps us stay connected to the sacred rhythms of our faith and deepens our spiritual journey.
what are some of the differences between catholics and episcopalians?
The primary difference between Roman Catholics and Episcopalians is the main authority of the church. For Catholics, the authority lies under the Pope, whereas Anglicans look to their local bishops and the national presiding Bishop for leadership and direction. However, there are other key differences between our denominations. Catholic rules state that you must be a confirmed Catholic to receive communion while anyone who has received Christ may participate in Episcopal communion.
what are some of the differences between mainline protestants and episcopalians?
Mainline Protestants and Episcopalians share many similarities, such as a commitment to social justice and a respect for diverse beliefs. However, Episcopalians have a unique identity within the Protestant tradition, with our own liturgical practices, governance structure, and theological perspectives. We embrace a rich blend of tradition and innovation, striving to be a welcoming and inclusive community for all.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN Evangelical PROTESTANTS AND EPISCOPALIANS?
Evangelical Protestants and Episcopalians both belong to the Christian tradition but have differences in their beliefs and practices. Evangelicals focus on personal conversion experiences, scripture's authority, and often hold conservative theological views, while Episcopalians value liturgical worship, tradition, reason, and interpret scripture within its context. Episcopalians prioritize social justice and inclusivity, with diverse theological perspectives. Despite these distinctions, both groups share a commitment to following Jesus and living out their faith in love and service.