What to expect
People begin to trickle into the side chapel at St. Paul’s, just across from Fairyland and Lake Merritt, as we prepare to gather. You’re invited to light a candle and place it in the sand as you enter, a simple act of presence—yours, and God’s.
Our hour-long service includes:
A grounding moment of silence
Episcopal liturgy, with ancient rhythms and modern reflections
A discussion-based sermon, where you’re invited to respond to the weekly reading
Acoustic music
Communion (with Brenna’s homemade sourdough challah)
There’s programming for kids (more below), and always room for questions, wonder, and not having it all figured out.
Afterward, we gather in the courtyard for drinks—beer, sparkling water, conversation—and whatever leftovers the kids didn’t finish.
Kids at St. Lucy’s
Kids are a vital part of our community and we do our best to create a space where they feel known, safe, and spiritually fed.
During the service, kids ages 3 to 13 are invited to join our Godly Play program, a Montessori-based approach that helps children explore scripture through story, wonder, and play. In the words of Godly Play’s creators, it’s about “making meaning through story, wonder, and play—nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children.”
For kids under 3, we ask that a parent or guardian join them for the experience.
Because our service time overlaps with most kids’ dinnertime, we also serve a simple, nourishing meal—beans, rice, raw veggies, and fruit—while they’re in the program. It’s our quiet dream that one day, the kids will look back and say, “That was the church that always gave us beans.”
Kids typically return to the chapel in time for communion, and afterward you’ll often find them in the courtyard, running around or offering up their leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No, we gather on Sunday evenings at 5pm. That’s our only service for now.
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You can park in the Veterans Hall lot across the street or right in front of St. Paul’s on Montecito Avenue (the loading zone is fair game on Sundays).
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We start at 5pm and usually wrap up by 6 or 6:10. After that, we hang out in the courtyard for beer and non-alcoholic drinks.
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Yes! Kids are a big part of who we are. During the service, we offer Godly Play, a Montessori-inspired approach that helps kids engage with scripture through story, wonder, and play.
We also make sure kids are fed while they're here. We serve a simple dinner of beans and rice, raw veggies, and fruit. Bonus: there are usually leftovers after the service for the adults.
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Whatever you want! Our services are very casual and friendly.
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St. Paul’s, a fellow Episcopal church, provides rental space for our new congregation.
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Yes, most Sundays we celebrate Holy Eucharist, open to everyone who wants to participate. No pressure, no prerequisites.
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Absolutely. You don’t have to believe anything in particular to be here. Come curious, come skeptical, come as you are.
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Yes! The Side Chapel at St. Paul’s is fully accessible, including restrooms, though the wheelchair ramp enters through the main church. A greeter can show you the way when you arrive. Let us know if you need anything else to feel at home.