First Time Visitors to the
Anglican Church in Mallorca
The Anglican Church in Palma is
usually open to visitors: Monday to Friday 09:30 to 12:00 noon
Many people find that they want to come to a
service in Mallorca but are not sure what to expect! Some feel
embarrassed that they don´t know much about Christianity or the
Church, or they may think they don´t believe enough to be part
of a faith community. Our invitation to you is to come and join
us and to see what you make of us! You may be surprised to find
others like yourself…
Here are some frequently asked
questions:
When is the main Sunday service?
St Philip and St James, Palma - 11:00 every
Sunday
St Andrew's Congregation, Puerto Pollensa -
09:00 every Sunday
Santa Maria del Mar, Cala d'Or - 11:30 every
third Thursday of the Month
How do I get to the church?
Please see our pages:
Directions Palma
Directions Pollensa
Directions Cala D'Or
What happens at a service?
You will first be welcomed by our
congregation, given a hymn book, a news-sheet and a service
booklet and invited to sit anywhere in the main part of the
church. The service is a called a
"Holy Communion" or “Eucharist”. This comes from a Greek word meaning
“thanksgiving”. At the heart of our worship is our giving thanks
to God but we also acknowledge our own frailty and fragility,
our need of God and each other.
The service is in three parts. First, we
gather and ask that God will open our hearts and allow us to see
something of his beauty and freshness, to see who we really are, to acknowledge where we have gone wrong and to be forgiven
and strengthened for the future.
Secondly, we listen to readings from the
Bible: from the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures), the New
Testament (early Christian letters and texts) and from the
Gospels (the early accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus).
Because the Gospel is the heartbeat of our community, it is read
from the middle of the congregation, surrounded by us all. It is
the pulse that gives the body of the Church its life. After the
Gospel has been read, a talk (sermon) is given that explores
what we have heard and tries to enrich our reflection. Sermons
are important because we believe that God gave us brains and
so we must think, ask questions and not be afraid of
exploration. We also believe that God gave us hearts and that we
need “de-frosting” in order that our lives and love may be
enlarged for the sake of the world and people God loves.
Lastly, after giving voice to our faith,
praying for those in need and sharing peace with each other
(turning to our neighbour and saying “Peace be with you”), we
remember the night in which Jesus gathered with his friends,
gave them bread and wine and asked them to remember him in this
way. Because Jesus Christ is for us the window onto the nature
and reality of God, our remembrance is more than just nostalgia
it literally re-members us together as a Christian family,
recalls us to the heart of reality. We believe that Christ is
present in the bread and wine (we don´t fully understand how)
and that our communion with him leads us into deeper communion
with one another. For this reason, we are quickly sent into the
world after receiving the bread and wine, so that we might bring
Christ´s priorities and peace to our own networks and
communities. The last words we hear are “go in peace to love and
serve the Lord”.
During the service we sing hymns (for which
we stand) and music is played both before and after the service.
Refreshments are served in church after the
service and everyone is invited to stay and to meet their fellow
worshippers.
What do I need to wear when I come to
church?
Whatever you are comfortable in! There
are no rules or regulations and a typical congregation will
include all age groups.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! Children are encouraged to join the
Sunday School (please ask a sidesperson when you first come into
the church) but children are also welcome to stay in church for
the service.
Who is the “Chaplain”?
The Chaplain is, in effect, the parish
priest of whichever church you are visiting on Mallorca.
Reverend Robert Ellis is the Chaplain of the
church of St Philip and St James in Palma and St Maria del Mar,
Cala d'Or
Assistant Chaplain
of the church in Puerto Pollensa.
Can I make a prayer request?
Of course. Please contact the Chaplain (see
above) to let him know your request. We bring all these requests
before God at the main Sunday service.
What does the Church believe?
Christian life is lived in relationship with
God through Jesus Christ, and in common with other Christians in
the church seeking to deepen that relationship and to follow the
way that Jesus taught. For Christians God is understood and
known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Father – God is love,
caring for creation and for every human being as God’s beloved
child. Son -God is as he has revealed himself to be in the
historical person of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life, death and
resurrection hold the key to knowing and loving God, and to
making sense of life, before and after death. Holy Spirit – God
is alive, loving and active, comforting and challenging and
inspiring faith, justice and truth. God sustains the life of the
world, giving spiritual gifts to the church and bearing his
spiritual fruit in the world – changed lives and a transformed
society.
At the heart of our faith is the belief in
the God who transforms. God loves us just the way we are and God
loves us so much he doesn´t want us to stay like that.
How do I join The Anglican Church of
Mallorca?
Please talk with the Chaplain and then place
your name on the Electoral Roll of the church by completing an
application form that he will give you.
What Events and recent news is there about
the The Anglican Church of Mallorca?
Please see our Church News and Events page.
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