Looking for a church home in Oskaloosa?

Maybe you’re searching for a church home.

Maybe you’re looking for something different.

Or maybe… you’re simply seeking closeness to God.

Maybe you should visit St. James’ Episcopal Church.

I did—and here’s my story.

It was 1995 or 1996. My mother and I were “church shopping”—although we didn’t have to shop long. I think Mom had a sense of what she was looking for, but I wasn’t quite sure. I had become more of a Christmas/Easter churchgoer, and I mostly wanted a place where Mom could feel settled, even on her own if needed. (Dad didn’t often attend church.)

Although my siblings and I were baptized at St. James’ (thanks to Mom’s Anglican roots), we were raised and confirmed elsewhere here in town. But one Sunday, we decided to visit St. James’.

I had never really experienced an Anglican service, aside from a wedding I vaguely remembered from years before. My husband’s family is Catholic, so I figured I’d be fine with the formality—and Mom would surely remember the ropes.

We were warmly greeted at the door and handed a bulletin. The sanctuary was peaceful. People were either sitting quietly or on their knees in prayer. Mom whispered a few things to help me follow along as the service began.

And then… something unexpected happened.

I felt like I was part of the service—not just an observer. I found myself singing, joining in the prayers, listening intently to a sermon that actually stuck with me, a life-lesson type of message.

I received a blessing and took communion (real wine, by the way!). The congregation was small, but it felt right.

After the service, we were greeted again, asked to sign the guest book, and invited to stay for coffeetime and fellowship. I don’t remember if we stayed that first Sunday or the next, but I do remember how glad we were when we finally did.

Yes, we stand, sit, and kneel throughout the service—but it all becomes second nature. The Book of Common Prayer guides everything, and the leader announces page numbers. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but it didn’t take long before I appreciated its rhythm and meaning.

Another thing: no one’s judging you—whether you sit, stand, kneel, or what you wear. What matters is that you’re there.

This isn’t a church with widescreens or big choirs. There’s no children’s skit or flashy production. But there is a small congregation ready to welcome you quietly, sincerely—just as you are. Episcopalians don’t shout about their faith. It’s more like a hidden treasure… one I hadn’t even known I was looking for.

And here’s another twist: my dad, who never really went to church, started attending with Mom.

Sometimes he even skipped his Sunday golf game to go. They were both eventually confirmed, and a year later, so was I.

These days, nearly 30 years later, I pick up Mom (now 96!) from her assisted living home and take her to church with me.

I’m so grateful we found St. James’.

So maybe you are looking for something.

Maybe you just want to feel closer to God.

Maybe, like me, you’ll walk through the doors of St. James’ and find your own hidden treasure.

I assure you—you’ll be welcome. Anytime.

Lorraine Sinnott

Oskaloosa, Iowa

I wasn’t sure what to think about liturgy and a book of prayers. How could written prayers be as sincere as spontaneous extemporaneous prayer? I was skeptical.

To my surprise I discovered that the collection (“collects” ) of prayers, not only frees me from the pressure of having to find the right words, in fact they often articulate just what I would like to say, but in a better way than I would manage on my own or redirect my focus and in so doing, teaches me to pray.

Similarly, the liturgy, or order of service, teaches me to worship. We stand to sing and glorify God, kneel to pray, sit to listen to lessons from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament and Letters to the early church, and recite together an ancient Creed, joining those who lived many generations before us. The liturgy is sprinkled liberally with scripture which we soak in week by week, and as we gain familiarity we find that we have memorized parts of it and can meditate on different aspects as we pray together.

We worship with our bodies, kneeling in the presence of the King of Kings to confess our sins and accept His forgiveness, and we are reminded that in consequence of his love for us, we can have peace with God.

We are invited to move forward to the altar and kneel to receive the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Christ with these words:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve they body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

Our prayers are common, we pray them together, reminding us that many of the collects have been prayed by generations before us and will be prayed by generations that will follow us. We are not inventing worship, but joining a long tradition of other Christians.

I have grown to love and appreciate the Book of Common Prayer and it has shaped my faith and worship.

A concluding collect from Good Friday:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners, everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.