St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church

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What draws people to Saint Michael's?  Why do people decide to join our local church family?  Here are a few stories from folks who have decided to make St. Michael's their home:


Pat

I have finally found a true church home, St. Michael's, offering  food for the spirit and soul. One can tell that Father Paul truly enjoys his chosen walk in life.  His warmth and sincerity is demonstrated  through his sermons and participation/leadership in church activities. The warmth and sincerity seemed to prevail throughout the church as my first visit to St. Michael's was friendly, without being overbearing.  The parishioners seemed genuinely pleased to have me visit their church.  Now, I especially enjoy Sunday Morning Adult Education Classes, with it's variety of meaningful topics. Church night is Great!  After a busy day you come to church for dinner, fellowship and a program.  Most recently we've had programs such as a Hand Bell Choir and a presentation on Byzantine coins.

I look forward to church on Sundays, you could say - It makes my day. Sitting in church looking out at Pikes Peak gives me a certain peace/calmness.  The view takes me away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, helping me focus on the power and majesty of God.  I can't help thinking of Matthew 6.25 -"Therefore I tell you do not worry about life ...... Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more value than they?...."  But, most importantly, the combination of the Sunday services, the Adult Education Classes, Church Activities and the overall warmth and sincerity of the church makes St. Michael's MY Church home.

Chris

To me St. Michael's is not just a church but also a community and a family. You do not need a church to worship God but you do need a community.  Jesus said, "Where ever two people gather in my name, I will be there."  I have been going to St. Michael's for all fifteen years of my life and I feel that St. Michael's has come a long way in making community a distinct part of worshiping God. But St. Michael's is also like an extended family to me.  It is a place where people come not only for worship God but also for fellowship.

 


Ken & Marilyn

We were not Episcopalians when we first attended St. Michael's.  Yet we were drawn to the worship format with it's music, meaningful liturgy, the reading of multiple Scriptures, and the celebration of the Sacraments.  At the same time, we couldn't help but respond to the happy, friendly atmosphere that permeated the whole experience.

We heard about "The Mixers" several times before we discovered that this was a lively group made up of any and all adults at St. Michael's.  That first social, a St. Patrick's Day party, introduced us to more new friends.  Our comfort zone grew and we began to truly feel part of an extended family.

Out of glad and grateful hearts, we were ready to join in service and ministry within this body.  And that continues still today, almost twenty years later.  Presently, a small group Bible Study, an outgrowth of the Alpha program, is a significant part of our life.  And because of Sunday School involvement, the children of the parish have come alive as a treasured investment.

During a recent hospitalization, the presence of the ministerial staff was supportive beyond description.  Especially then, the scriptures, prayers, and sacraments brought strength and courage in great measure.  But even in "good weather", each Sunday's message seems to feed us with a new thought about God, a promise He's made (but we've forgotten), a challenge to confront, or an encouragement to savor.  Receiving and giving is part of being in any family and we are grateful to God for the family at The Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

 


Kevin and Janice

We were drawn to St. Michael’s because we enjoy the liturgy of an Episcopal church.  We found that it was just the right size for us.  It wasn’t so large that we would feel lost in the crowd, and it was big enough to have the kinds of programs we’ve enjoyed at other churches.

 St. Michael’s has a church night once a month with an inexpensive dinner and program, which we both have benefited from. We have also been attending a home bible study group with others from St. Michael’s, which meets about twice a month during the school year.

Kevin has been going to a men's breakfast and Bible study at the church and Janice is a regular attendee of the women's book study and prayer group.  The men meet on Wednesday mornings from 7:00am to 7:40am and the women meet on Tuesdays for lunch and discuss the current book the group is reading.

Maurice, Melissa, Julia, Naish & Elise

We are a family of five.  We have twins, Naish and Elise, who are now 6 years old and Julia, who is almost 4 years old.  We began attending St. Michael’s in the summer of 2000.  Immediately after attending, I was notified by the MOPS coordinator, Joan LaStrange, that St. Michael’s had a MOPS group that provided a terrific way to meet a wonderful support group of moms all going through the same preschool child daily challenges.  Since we had three preschoolers, I thought this MOPS group might fill a need for me.    I was happy to be asked to join and I visited the group at their first meeting in the fall of 2000.  Naish and Elise were very open to the MOPPETS program and enjoyed the teachers caring for them and teaching them about God.    Julia went into the nursery during the meetings and she liked playing with the new toys!  I have been active in MOPS since then as a small group leader and currently serve as the coordinator for the 2002/2003 year.

Our family had come from a background of a traditional Protestant church and we were looking for a church like St. Michael’s, with the traditional liturgy and traditional music.   The children’s Sunday School program for the three kids was something that attracted us, also.   We love music and were excited to see the church organ fundraising was complete and the new organ project was scheduled for completion.