How do we worship?

"Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we." This controversial ad, produced by the United Church of Christ (U.S.), captures our welcoming spirit at SCM. Am I welcome?

Our table is open to all.

Our weekly gatherings are the heart of our community. We meet in members' homes to share food, discussion and worship together. For many of us, this is a 'home church' during the busy weeks at work and school.

That feeling is captured by our opening song:

Come and find the quiet centre in the crowded life we lead
Find the space for hope to enter, find the place where we are freed

Our worship times bring us together in prayer. Although oriented around a Christian liturgy (worship rituals), one unique thing about the SCM is that there is no creed or dogma (compulsory beliefs) to which members must subscribe. Hence, non-Christians are more than welcome to participate, contribute, and even take leadership.

Bread and Wine

We share in silent contemplation, followed by a bread-and-wine liturgy from the Catholic Worker movement. While this is not a formal Eucharist (the Roman Catholic communion, which requires a priest), for many of us the Christ-spirit is deeply present in our sharing. We use grape juice, recognizing those who have been broken by alcohol.

Our liturgy reminds us that:

We break bread to remember that it is in our brokenness that we meet each other
And in relationship that we make sense
We break it to remember the growing and dying and growing of grain
We break it to remember that Jesus broke laws
And that Jesus healed the broken
We break it for the courage to break
And for the courage to heal

All are welcome to contribute something to our worship, if they wish. Maybe you've been inspired by a poem... or want to teach us a song... or wish to lead a meditation exercise.

This is a respectful, open space where any name for the divine is honoured, where heresy (ideas different from those accepted by mainstream churches) is welome, and where we meet from wherever we're at.

We close with an intentions circle, where we can share our prayers, concerns, and hopes with the group.

Am I welcome?

Churches can and should be places of healing and hope. For many people, however, the church experience is not always positive. Many people these days feel hurt or cynical about the church institutions.

Others cannot find a spiritual home because of homophobia, racism or sexism experienced elsewhere. When we say, all are welcome at our table, we mean it.

Some SCM members belong to churches across the Christian spectrum (Evangelical, Catholic and mainline Protestant). Others follow different paths. Some are simply questioning their path.

This is a place where you are welcome.