ST. AIDAN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
"GROWING IN FAITH. ROOTED IN LOVE."
Who We Are
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church is a welcoming Christian community in Virginia Beach where people gather to worship God, grow in faith, and serve others. We believe that God’s love is for everyone, no exceptions, and that each person is invited into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Whether you are exploring faith, returning to church, or looking for a spiritual home, you are welcome here.
What We Believe
We believe in a God who is love, revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that:
- God loves every person.
- Jesus Christ became fully human to reconcile us to God.
- The Holy Spirit calls us to live lives of love, compassion, and service.
- Holy Scripture guides our faith, interpreted through tradition, reason, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within the Church.
As part of The Episcopal Church, we seek to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
Our Worship & Sacrements
Episcopal worship is rooted in the Book of Common Prayer, which shapes our prayers, scripture readings, and liturgy.
We celebrate two primary sacraments given by Christ:
- Baptism
- Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)
The church also recognizes other sacramental rites that mark important moments in the Christian journey, including:
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Matrimony (Christian Marriage)
- Holy Orders (Ordination)
- Anointing of the Sick
I’m New to St. Aidan's
First, Welcome! Thank you for visiting us! We know visiting for the first time can be daunting, and worship in the Episcopal Church can be unfamiliar to some. St. Aidan's is an intergenerational church that comes together to praise God and to learn about living a Christian life, a life that truly follows the Biblical imperative to love God and to love thy neighbor. We do this in a variety of ways: through worship, fellowship, and service to our church community as well as the community outside our doors. We worship on Sunday mornings following the Episcopal Rite 2 Service with Holy Communion. Know we are grateful for your presence, whether you are passing through town on vacation, visiting family, or looking for a spiritual home. We trust God will draw near to you as you draw near to God.
What does Worship/the Service look like?
During the Summer
We have one service at 9:30 a.m. It is very informal, so come as you are.
During the School Year/September-May
We offer two services at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., with Christian Formation Hour from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
The 8:15 a.m. service is a meditative service without music, Rite II (using contemporary language, no “thees and thous”).
At the 10:30 a.m. service, we feature our choir, organ, piano/electric keyboard, acolyte, and two chalices. Our handbell choir performs monthly and occasionally has guest musicians perform.
Every 5th Sunday of the month, we have one joint service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a potluck (themed).
Are ALL children truly welcomed?
YES!
There is Nursery Care avaliable every Sunday for children 3 years old or younger from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Our Nursery Workers, are trained and certified in: Safe Church Practices, CPR for adults, children, and infants, as well as able to use our Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Epipens.
Just because we offer Nursery Care, does not mean that you can’t keep your child/children with you in the service.
ALL ARE WELCOME in the Church!
We also offer seasonal childrens' bags with activities that are age-appropriate to do during service.
During our Christian Formation Hour (9:30a.m.–10:20a.m.), we offer programs ranging from Godly Play to Holy Moly for ages 4+.
We also welcome families with Special Needs Children and Adults. If we need to know anything to ensure you and your loved one are welcomed and comfortable, please email the Rector ahead of time, or speak to an Usher at the beginning of a service.
What does Communion look like?
What does Communion look like at St. Aidan’s, and who is welcome?
At our 8:15 a.m. service:
The Priest/Clergy will come to the rail and intinct (dip) the wafer into the wine for you. (Yes, it is wine).
At our 10:30 a.m. service:
If you come and extend both hands with your palms up, the clergy will come to the rail and intinct (dip) the wafer into the wine for you. (Yes, it is wine).
Please put out one hand if you want to receive the bread alone or drink from the chalice. Then, a chalicer will come by with a cup of wine that you can drink.
For both services:
You are invited to stand or kneel at the altar, however you wish to meet Christ at the Altar.
If you would like to receive the bread alone, please put out one hand.
If you have a gluten allergy, please hold your hands together, palms touching.
If you do not want to receive Communion (bread or wine), you can still come up to the altar and cross your arms over your chest, and you will receive a blessing from one of our clergy.
If you are on ZOOM, watching the recorded service, or don’t wish to come up, you are invited to pray quietly where you are at: “Jesus, we believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. We love you above all things, and long for you in our souls. Come spiritually into our hearts. Cleanse and strengthen us with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let us never be separated from you. May we live in you, and you in us, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.”
What to expect after the service?
- After the service the parishioners tend to go to Coffee Hour or our Potluck in the Parish Hall. There is a reason why Episcopalians joking say that Coffee Hour is our 8th Sacrament.
- During the School Year, 9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m., we offer Christian Formation for all ages.