Welcome
We are an Episcopal Church community with members of all ages, several races and nationalities, men and women. We are also a welcoming and affirming congregation for lesbians and gay men. As a congregation of just under 150 members (including the babies), we have been able to appreciate an "extended family" atmosphere in our congregation. We particularly invite students to be part of this family. St. Aidan's is a good place to come and be involved and known in a very short period of time.
Our most important time together is our Sunday morning worship services at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. (8:30 AM and 10:00 AM during the summer months) Our worship style is traditional Episcopalian in that the earlier service tends to be quieter and more reflective while the later service is more festive with a mix of musical genres, both traditional and contemporary. At the same time, we avail opportunities to utilize innovative liturgies at both services.
St. Aidan's has a healthy tradition of offering additional educational or spiritual growth opportunities and a large percentage of the congregation also participate in these as each person recognizes his or her own need to be on a spiritual journey and to make faith commitments.
For over 30 years we have been in an ecumenical relationship with Northside Presbyterian Church and much of our richness comes from our shared study, social action and worship with the Presbyterians. This relationship is formally known as Northside Assiciated Ministries.
Many St. Aidanites report that St. Aidan's has for them been a spiritual home, a place of healing, a community of nurturance, and a church of challenge.
Mission:
"St. Aidan's Episcopal Church is committed to experiencing and demonstrating God's love through eucharistic worship, prayer, study, and action. We strive to be a nurturing, spiritual Christian community, strengthened by the participation of our members, the example of our youth, and our collaboration with our sister congregation, Northside Presbyterian Church. We embrace diversity and seek to understand it. With our partners in faith and community, we endeavor to be good stewards of all God's creation and to speak out for justice."
A Brief History of St. Aidan's
The parish was founded in 1966 as a mission of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to the north side of Ann Arbor. From its inception, St. Aidan's has been an experiment in ecumenism, sharing in building and program with Northside Presbyterian Church.
Click HERE to learn more about Northside Associated Ministries.
In 1980, St. Aidan's was granted independent parish status within the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. The church's first rector was The Rev. Richard O. Singleton and its second rector was The Rev. William Melnyk. The third and current rector is The Rev. Susan E. McGarry.
Through its history, in addition to its ecumenical activity, St. Aidan's has emphasized support for a variety of liturgical expressions within the rich Episcopal tradition, personal spiritual growth, application of the gospel in our lives and community, and social action by our members.
The twenty-year partnership with Northside Presbyterian Church is formalized in the entity of Northside Associated Ministries (NAM). This joint corporation owns the land and building and provides shared activity in Christian education for both children and adults, youth programming and social action.
St. Aidan's Today
Today we are a growing congregation. Our worship is centered in the Holy Eucharist (Communion) and is at the same time reverent and informal.. Healing and prayer services, as well as joint worship with our sister congregation add to our worship life.
Our relationship with Northside Presbyterian remains strong.
Together as Northside Associated Ministries, we
+ maintain our building.
+ explore God's word through both child and adult Christian education.
+ reach out to the community and world.
+ care for our children who are not just welcome but active partners in our common life.
Who was St. Aidan?
St. Aidan's was named for its patron saint, Aidan of Lindisfarne, the "Apostle of Northumbria." Aidan was an Irish monk from St.Columba's monastery on the island of Iona and was a missionary, later Bishop, to the north of England from 635 CE until his death at Bambourgh in 651. Based on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the northeast coast of England, Aidan carried the gospel throughout the midlands of pagan England. Although the island had been settled during the Stone Age, Aidan is credited as being its first recorded inhabitant when he established a Celtic-style monastery on its heights, later to be one of the first sacked by the Vikings. He was known for his gentle manner, his gifts as an evangelist, and his ministry to the poor.
Click HERE to learn more about St. Aidan.
What does "Episcopal" mean?
Stated simply, "episcopal" means "bishop" in Greek and refers to the organizational structure of Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Lay Persons. Being an Episcopal Church, St. Aidan's is a member parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan (EDOMi) which is led by The Right Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., Bishop. EDOMi in turn is a diocese within the The Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) which is led by The Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. The diocese is governed by convention of the clergy and three lay representatives from each parish meeting annually. The national church is governed by General Convention of the bishops and deputations from each of the dioceses meeting every three years.
Click HERE to learn more about the Episcopal Church .
What does "Anglican" mean?
In a denominational context, the term "Anglican" means the Church of England and frequently refers to the worldwide Anglican Communion, an affiliation of autonomous national churches who identify with the precepts of the Church of England as established by the Elizabethan Settlement of 1559. The Church of England was defined as being both catholic in its form of worship and respect for tradition and protestant in its theology and reverence of the Bible. Albeit; scripture, tradition, and reason are given equal authority within Anglicanism.
The Episcopal Church USA became the first province following the American Revolution; subsequently, thirty-six additional provinces have made affiliation. The Anglican Church of Canada is one such province. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, (pictured on left) Primate of England, serves as the presiding official at all gatherings of the communion, primarily the Lambeth Conference which meets every ten years at Lambeth Palace, London.
Click HERE to learn more about the worldwide Anglican Communion .
Organizational Chart
Pastoral Staff
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The Reverend Doctor Susan E. McGarry is the third rector of St. Aidan's. Prior to her ministry here, Susan served parishes and university chaplaincies in Michigan and Ohio. She is a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Susan achieved a PhD in Ancient and Biblical Studies from U of M. in 2009. Susan serves St. Aidan's as our worship leader, preacher, teacher, and is available for pastoral services. |
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Ellen Magee, Administrative Assisstant The church office is open: Tues thru Fri. 9:30AM to 2:00PM |
The Vestry
The Vestry are the agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy. At St. Aidan's the Vestry has six members who serve three year terms. Two new Vestry members are elected each year to replace the graduating class. The Vestry meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month and for at least one full Saturday meeting in the spring.
Members of the Vestry are also serve on the Board of Trustees and the Joint Assembly of Northside Associated Ministries, which meets semi-annually during May and November.
The Senior and Junior Wardens must be members of the Vestry and are elected by the body. The Wardens consult with the Rector concerning the goals, directions and purposes of the Parish and oversee matters that particularly pertain to the Vestry.
Officers of the Parish are:Senior Warden: Fran Board Junior Warden: Alan Vayda Clerk: Len Coombs |
The current Vestry members areClass of 2009: Len Coombs, Jim Pierson Class of 2010: Shirley Coombs, Marian Kummerl Class of 2011: Fran Board, Alan Vayda |
The Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Recording Secretary serve at the will of the Vestry but are not members.
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Treasurer: Shirley Coombs Financial Secretary: Gail Graham |
Recording Secretary: Cindy Pierson |
The People's Work: Committees
Although the Clergy, St Aidan's Vestry, Northside Presbyterian's Session, and the Joint Assembly oversee the health of the community and establish broad goals, specific objectives originate and are achieved in the various committees. Everyone is encouraged be good stewards of their talents and all are welcome to participate on as many committees as interest you.
Committees unique to St. Aidan's
Parish Concerns/"Fun" Committee is primarily concerned with the social life of the parish such as planning for parish dinners and other special events.
Contact Susan Wyman
Evangelism Committee is currently studying ways to better present St. Aidan's Church to the broader community such as this WebSite, newspaper adds, announcements of community directed events, etc.
Contact: Michael Earle
Finance Committee provides oversight for the parish budget and advises the vestry on fiduciary matters.The committee is made up of the treasurers, the financial secretary, a vestry liaison, and at large members.
Contact Alan Vayda
Stewardship Committee has the delegated responsibility under direction of the Vestry for the education of the parish regarding our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, and for the design and implementation of the annual pledge drive.
Contact Phil Singer
Worship Committee assists the Rector in planning worship services including inovative liturgies.
Contact Susan McGarry.
Audit Committee The canons of the Diocese of Michigan and the bylaws of the parish require that there be an annual audit of all financial records. Northside Associated Ministries financial records are also audited annually. This audit may be conducted by an internal audit committee as long as the members are competent and have nothing else to do with the handling of parish funds.
Contact Shirley Coombs
Joint Committees of Northside Associated Minitries
Community Service and Social Action Committee educates and helps involve our congregations in social outreach ministries both globally and locally. Its members come from at large in both congregations.
Contact: Ann Grosse
Education Committee is responsible for oversight of the Adult and Children's Education programs, the Youth Group and the Nursery for both congregations. Everything from Sunday School to Lenten Potluck programs are on its agenda. New members are always welcome.
Contact: Debra Davies |
Sunday School Director: Marian Laughlin |
Property and Finance Committee is charged with the care of the jointly owned property. Repairs, renovations, and general oversight of upkeep all fall in its purview. It is in serious need of committed membership.
Contact Jim Pierson
Communications and Publicity Committee facilitates and enhances communication within our two congregations and coordinates advertising activities.
Contact: Susan McGarry
Lay Ministries
Acolytes are persons of all ages who serve the priest during liturgical worship services with specific tasks such as carrying the cross and candles during processions, holding the Bible for readings of the Gospel, presenting the offerings, and assisting in preparing the altar for Eucharist (Communion).
Contact Kim Zaugg
The Altar Guild is responsible for the acquisition, maintenance, and preparation of the physical elements for worship. These include the candles, altar linens, communion vessels, bread, and wine. The Altar Guild assures that the worship area is clean and sets up for services. Needless to say, there is also cleanup after services.
Contact Sue Pfoutz
The Choir enriches our worship through musical offerings on a periodic basis, especially on holy days.
Contact Susan Wyman, Noel McRobbie
Lay Readers are persons liscensed by the Bishop to read the Bible lessons, lead the congregation in the Psalms and prayers, distribute the wine at Communion and conduct prayer services at the discretion of the Priest.
Contact Len Coombs
The Pastoral Care Team, a.k.a. "Mom-squad," provides for the physical and emotional care needs of the parish community such as hospital vigils, meals, shopping, and house cleaning during convolescense, and transportation.
Contact Susan McGarry