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First and foremost, Anglicans are Christians. Globally, Anglicans form the third largest body of Christians in the world (around 80 million members) behind the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

ORIGINS OF THE NAME

The name “Anglican” is traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Europe. The tribal name was spelled “Engles” or “Angles” and the tribe’s speech was the precursor to the English language. Their island became known as England, and their Christians were known as Anglicans. The name has nothing to do with “angels.”

GLOBAL ANGLICANS

Just as the English language spread with the British empire, so did Anglican Christianity. When Anglicans resettled in new lands, they brought their personal faith with them. Chaplains and pastors were often among their number. Additionally, many Anglicans traveled as missionaries to share the Gospel. Consequently, Anglican churches now exist all over the world in more than 165 countries. As Anglican Christians became a global family, the demographics shifted dramatically. While Christians from Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia continue to play an important role, today the “average” Anglican is a young woman from Sub-Saharan Africa.

THREE STREAMS

There are three distinct Christian traditions or "streams" into a unified expression of faith, a "river". These streams are:

Evangelical: This stream emphasizes the authority of Scripture, personal faith in Jesus Christ, and the importance of preaching the Gospel. It focuses on a transformative relationship with God through the Word and often traces its roots to the Protestant Reformation.

Sacramental: This stream highlights the historic traditions, liturgy, and sacraments of the Church, such as the Eucharist and baptism. It values continuity with the early Church and the apostolic succession of bishops, drawing from Anglicanism’s Catholic heritage.

Vibrance: This stream stresses the active presence the Holy Spirit. It reflects an openness to spiritual renewal and experiential worship.

The idea is often framed as "three streams, one river," suggesting that these elements—Scripture, sacrament, and Spirit—flow together to create a fuller expression of Christianity. This combination reflects the richness of the historic Church, balancing biblical authority, reverent worship, and spiritual vitality. All three strands are grounded in the Gospel. Each one extrapolates the Gospel in a specific direction. No strand is dispensable. Other Christian bodies have often taken one strand to an extreme. By God’s grace the Anglican tradition has held the streams in creative tension. This miracle of unity is a treasure worth keeping.

WORSHIP

Anglican worship is diverse, and it is best understood by visiting and attending a local congregation. What is common to all is an inheritance of worship that recognizes the supremacy of the Bible and often finds expression through the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). To understand what and how Anglicans pray is to understand what they believe. The BCP, described as the Scriptures arranged for worship, provides helpful resources for everything from personal daily devotions to large public gatherings of worship. It includes prayers for every season of life.

9 AM Traditional Service (Sunday): This is a liturgical service in the Anglican tradition. The clergy and the servers are vested. Music is generally from the Hymnal. The order of service is printed in a booklet. This service includes Communion. It lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes. 

10:45 AM Contemporary Service (Sunday): This is a liturgical service in the Anglican tradition. The clergy are vested. Music is contemporary praise and worship songs and a few contemporary versions of old hymns. The service is projected on a screen for convenient participation by the congregation. This service includes Communion. The service lasts about an hour and a half.

12 PM Prayer & Communion Service (Wednesday)
We read the previous Sunday's Psalm and Gospel reading. There is no sermon, music, or offering collected, but the rest of the service is patterned after our Traditional Service, with an emphasis on prayer. The service lasts about thirty minutes.

Parking is limited in front of the church, but there are plenty of handicap and visitor spaces reserved there. If you have difficulty with stairs, please use the side entrance on the right, next to the Memorial Garden. We are always glad to provide assistance.

On Sundays, most people park in front of the archery store, or in the parking lot next to Hiawassee Hardware.

You will be greeted by our team on the steps of the church. As you enter, our greeters will assist you with a name tag, provide a small gift as a token of our appreciation, point out the restrooms, and provide you with the bulletin, and order of service at the 9AM service.

The clergy are usually making rounds before and after the service to greet visitors personally. They would love to meet you.

No. You do not need to fill anything out, but we'd be grateful if you would. We would love to connect with you and discover ways we can better serve you. If you are interested in knowing more about Christ the King Church, or following Jesus, please complete the yellow welcome card in your pew (place it in the offering plate), or click the button below to fill it out before your visit. The pastor would to give you a call the next week to answer any questions you might have; perhaps over lunch of coffee.

After each service, many of our folks gather in the Fellowship Hall for snacks, coffee, and conversation. Some make lunch plans together. This is a great place to get to know the people of Christ the King. 

The term "liturgy" comes from the Greek word leitourgia, meaning "public work" or "service," reflecting its role as a communal act of worship. A liturgical service is a structured form of worship following a set order, typically guided by the Book of Common Prayer. It includes elements like hymns, scripture readings, a sermon, and the Eucharist, arranged in a specific sequence. 

The congregation actively participates throughout the service with responses, and some postures, fostering unity and reverence within a framework tied to the liturgical calendar, such as Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Eastertide, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. 

Vestments are the liturgical garments worn by clergy during worship services. These garments have both practical and symbolic significance, rooted in history, theology, and tradition. Here's an overview of what they are and why clergy wear them:

Vestments in Anglicanism vary depending on the specific rite or service (e.g., Eucharist, Morning Prayer, or special occasions), as well as the "churchmanship" of the congregation (e.g., High Church or Low Church). Common vestments include:

Alb: A long, white robe worn by clergy and sometimes servers, symbolizing purity. It’s often tied with a rope-like cincture.

Stole: A long, scarf-like strip worn over the shoulders by priests and deacons. For priests, it hangs straight down; for deacons, it’s worn diagonally across the chest. It signifies ordained ministry and authority.

Clergy wear vestments for several reasons, blending tradition, theology, and practicality:

Symbolism: Each vestment carries spiritual meaning. For example, the white alb represents purity. These symbols connect the wearer and congregation to biblical imagery and the church’s history.

Historical Continuity: Vestments evolved from everyday Roman garments of the early Christian era (e.g., the tunic became the alb). By the time of the Reformation, Anglicans retained many of these, adapting them to reflect a balance between catholic tradition and Protestant simplicity. They link modern worship to the ancient church.

Liturgical Function: Vestments distinguish roles (e.g., priest, deacon, bishop) and mark the sacred nature of the service. The use of colors (e.g., blue for Advent, white for Christmas and Easter, green for Epiphany and Ordinary Time, purple for Lent, and red for Pentecost and certain other holy days) aligns with the church calendar, enhancing the worship experience.

Humility and Uniformity: Vestments shift focus from the individual cleric’s personality or status to their office and the act of worship. A priest in an alb and stole chasuble isn’t "John Smith" but a servant of the liturgy.

Beauty and Reverence: Vestments add visual richness, reflecting the belief that worship should engage all senses to honor God.

In short, vestments in the Anglican tradition are more than just clothing; they’re a visual and spiritual language, connecting clergy and congregation to God, history, and each other during worship.

We invite all baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who come in faith and repentance to Jesus Christ to receive communion. 

While we understand that does not describe everyone, we invite those who do not come for Communion to receive a blessing. As you come forward, cross your arms over your chest to signify your desire to receive a prayer of blessing. You can also remain in your seat without any fear of judgment. We are simply happy you are here.

We leave the decision up to the parents of young children as to whether they are comfortable with their children receiving Communion. 

We serve both wine and grape juice for Communion. The chalices contain wine and are common cups for sipping or dipping the wafer. The Lay Eucharistic Ministers also have individual portions of wine and grape juice available; simply let them know when they make their way to you. We also have gluten-free wafers upon request. Just let the priest know if you prefer that.