Our congregation is small but has a big heart.
Our 10:30am Sunday Holy Communion service usually has 20-30 people. We receive the Eucharist, sing music, reflect on a heart-provoking sermon, and enjoy refreshments (and sometimes a potluck) after.
And our quieter Wednesday 12pm contemplative services have about 6-10 people for Centering Prayer meditation (12pm) & Contemplative Communion (12:30pm) — join for one or both.
We sit in a cozy but welcoming half-circle. Take a bulletin (everything you need to follow is there) & blue music book. Sit anywhere within our circle, or at the back if you'd prefer.
Dress in whatever way is comfortable for you. If able, you may choose to stand for songs, the Gospel reading, and the Eucharistic prayers (the priest will announce when), but you can also just observe.
Take part however moves your spirit — you could light a candle in the front corner; meditate on saints' icons; touch Holy Water in the entry font; sing along. or let the music wash over you; or just rest in stillness.
What can you expect?
- Length: About 75 minutes. We encourage you to arrive a bit early to find a seat & get your bearings.
- Music: A wide range of inspiring music both contemporary & ancient, including the songs of Taizé, Iona, Lutheran and Anglican traditions — led by our talented musician Dave Dagta.
- Message: A thought-provoking, heartful homily (sermon) by Rev. Tasha Carrothers — about what the Good News means in our daily lives and hurting world, followed by an invitation for anyone to share a brief reflection from the heart.
- Prayers of the people: Community-led intercessions for our aching world, Creation, and all in need. (If you'd like prayers, please write your or a loved one's name in the prayer book on the table near the building exit).
- Scriptures: Readings from our Holy Scriptures (New Revised Standard Version, an ecumenical translation with more inclusive language).
- Fellowship: Coffee, snacks and conversations after service (plus a monthly potluck), and depending on the season there's sometimes a faith discussion circle.
Is it accessible & inclusive?
- ♿️ Accessibility: 100% wheelchair-accessible single level, including restrooms. Hearing assistance available 🦻🏽
- 🏳️🌈 We're LGBTQ2SIA affirming & celebrating 🏳️⚧️
- 🅿️ Parking: 2-hour street parking available, but be mindful of permit-only spots.
- 🧑🧒🧒 Children: Kids are always welcome in worship or the side lounge — free to move, make music, play & create art.
- 💧 Restrooms: Accessible restrooms & baby-change tables down hall facing our main doors.
- 🪶 Indigenous: We worship on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We pray to be agents of truth, reconciliation, justice and healing — and repent of our church's role in colonization, including Residential Schools and the Doctrine of Discovery.
We're invited to come to God's table just as we are, joining with countless others in this ancient Eucharist liturgy spanning time and space.
At St. Mary Magdalene's, you are invited to receive both bread and wine, or just one element.
At supper with his friends, Jesus took bread and wine, saying, "Take, eat; this is my body," and "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant." (Mt 26). And he invited his followers to "do this in remembrance of me" (Lk 22).
(Please don't dip the bread — for hygiene, receive it in the palm of your hand. If you don't want to drink from the common cup, you are welcome to simply touch its base and say, 'Amen' — and if you wish, ask for a blessing from the priest.)
As we understand this mystery, "Christ is truly and really present" in consecrated bread & wine — physical elements that become "an outward and visible sign of an inward & spiritual grace."
Our tradition encourages us to engage critically using our "God-given reason," because "faith and intellect are partners in the quest for truth."
What do we believe?
We believe that everyone is loved as children of God, who cares deeply for all Creation (Rom 8).
St. Mary Magdalene's is an open, welcoming & creative community always in the process of becoming — rooted in ancient Christian faith.
We strive to live out our Holy Baptism promises to "seek and serve Christ in all persons," to "strive for justice and peace among all people," respecting the "dignity of every human being," and safeguarding the "integrity of God's creation."
We are in the episcopal tradition of the Anglican Church of Canada & Anglican Communion.
More details about Sunday mornings
We use authorized Anglican liturgies, including affirmations of faith and general confessions. We sing from Common Praise supplemented by music from Iona, Taize, and other sources. We use inclusive language for God.
The reflection time after the sermon is an opportunity to share how themes from the readings or the sermon apply in our own lives. While the Vicar loves to explore biblical interpretation, those discussions are reserved for after church.
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