Visit Us

Visiting a new church can feel like a big step. At Buck Mountain, you’ll find a friendly, relaxed environment where you can participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

Fast Facts

Service Style: Traditional Episcopal liturgy with a warm, welcoming tone
Children: Kids are welcome in worship; activity bags or a children’s area may be available
Dress: Come as you are
Communion: All baptized Christians are invited to receive; anyone may come forward for a blessing

More About Worship

Buck Mountain is part of The Episcopal Church and, by extension, a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Worship will feel familiar if you’ve visited any Episcopal or Anglican church. Elements, such as reading scripture, a sermon, hymns, and communion, will also feel familiar to visitors and newcomers from other Christian denominations.

The Book of Common Prayer (1979) guides our worship. Services generally begin with a hymn, followed by opening prayers (called “Collects”) then readings from scripture, a sermon or homily, and prayers. On most Sundays, we will then celebrate the Holy Eucharist, also known as Communion. The service concludes with a hymn and a dismissal.

Following worship, we invite you to join us at coffee hour in the adjoining building!

Location

The church is located at 4133 Earlysville Road, Earlysville, Virginia, 22936. Parking is available at the church, including accessible spaces, and at the parish hall (the next building to the north).

Worship FAQs

What to Wear

We don’t have a dress code. You’ll see everything from jeans to jackets, and nobody is keeping score. Most people land somewhere between formal and informal, but you’re welcome to come as you are.

Are children welcome in worship?
Yes! Children are the future of the church and we love having them with us. We have activity bags at the back of the church (look for brightly colored tote bags) with coloring activities that they are welcome to use, or bring their own.

If and when they make noise, please do not be embarrassed. Their noise is a gift to us. However, if you or they would be more comfortable, we have nursery care available during our 10:30 a.m. Sunday services. On the first Sunday of each month, we also have Godly Play for children to learn through activities while we celebrate the first part of our service, and then they will join us for the second part, including Communion.

Do you always have Communion?
Almost always. Anyone who has been baptized in a Christian community is welcome to receive Communion in the Episcopal Church. If you’re not baptized or for some reason choose not to receive Communion, we invite you to come forward with everyone else and cross your arms over your chest. The priest will give you a blessing (a short prayer with her hand on your head) instead.

How long are the services?
Holy Eucharist generally runs about one hour and fifteen minutes.

I’m not exactly sure what I believe. Will I be uncomfortable in your church?
You are welcome! While different things may make different people uncomfortable, we believe that all people are beloved children of God and as such, everyone belongs here. Everyone’s faith journey looks a little different.

Nothing is done to purposefully exclude or call out individuals. You will hear phrases like “we invite you to…” and “we welcome you to…” rather than “you must…”