As it has done throughout its history, St. James’ uses the Book of Common Prayer and our life as Christians is sustained by our worship together in the strength of this tradition. The local farm families who historically made up our congregation have been joined by a varied group of weekenders and retirees who live across Georgian Bay and the Beaver Valley. St James’ is characterized by its sense of identity as a Christian family: welcoming children, caring for its elderly, and working together in the “practical Christianity” of St. James’ epistle.
We reach out in Christian service to various causes both local and further afield. Never forgetting those who lie in our churchyard, we are continually reminded that our earthly pilgrimage is a journey to a heavenly home.
Service Schedule
- 1st and 3rd Sundays – Holy Communion
- 2nd and 4th Sundays – Morning Prayer
- 5th Sundays -Evensong
What to Expect When You Gather With Us For Worship
A key feature of the worship that occurs at St. James’, Fairmount, and an informing source of our understanding of Anglican doctrine is our ongoing use of The Book of Common Prayer (1962) which continues to be an official liturgy of the Anglican Church of Canada. Beloved for its beauty of language, inspiration, and versatility of services that have been used by several faithful generations here at St. James’, we offer a number of different types of services from The Book of Common Prayer month by month, through the year. Our services are sung, using Anglican Chant, part of the rich choral heritage associated with the Book of Common Prayer.
Below, you will find a description of what to expect from the three main types of worship services we typically use which include Morning Prayer, Holy Communion, and Evensong.
Morning Prayer
On the second and fourth Sunday of the month beginning at 9.00 a.m., we offer a morning prayer service led by a lay reader. Though shorter in length than a service of Holy Communion, part of the beauty of Morning Prayer is that its focus is more on our adoration and praise for all that God provides us with.
This is reflected in its liturgical components: hymns, canticles, an act of repentance, scripture readings, a sermon, and litanies and prayers.
Service of Holy Communion
On the first and third Sunday of the month beginning at 9.00 a.m., St. James’ offers a service of Holy Communion. Central to worship and identity for Anglicans is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In this offering of prayer and praise, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are recalled through the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacrament. This worship service also includes hymns, scripture readings, a sermon, a declaration of faith, acts of confession and absolution. People of all ages and denominations who are baptized in the name of the Trinity are invited and encouraged to share in communion. Everyone is welcome to come forward for a blessing.
Evensong
Whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we do not gather at 9:00 a.m. but instead, we come together for a service of Evensong, usually at 4:00 p.m. Evensong is uniquely distinct to the Anglican Church and often it is lovingly described as the crown jewel of Anglican liturgical innovation in that, traditionally, much of the service is sung or chanted. This late afternoon service provides a wonderful time for reflection and spiritual refreshment which is reflected in its use of liturgical components similar to Morning Prayer with hymns, canticles, scripture readings, a sermon, and litanies and prayers. And the service is usually followed by a potluck supper!
Key Officers:
Eleanor DeWolf,
People’s Warden and organist
Jake Bates,
Rector’s Warden
Bill Creese,
Music Director and principal organist
Valerie Shaw,
Guild President
Helen Merrifield,
Chair of the Cemetery Board
Mailing Address:
St. James’, Fairmount Anglican Church
Post Office Box 414
Clarksburg, ON
N0H 1J0
(Map)
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We acknowledge that the land on which St. James’ Fairmount Church was built is in the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people who now make their homes in the communities of the Saugeen and Nawash.