Please call 408-564-2435 for more information. "The first message of all our helpers is to the Lost Sheep of the Church of England".
Greetings:
We warmly invite all conditions of men to worship with us, offering these our imperfect prayers to Gracious Father. Whether a Episcopalian or friendly hearer, please call or visit our family--"For every home is a little parish", the Rev. G. Whitefield.
South Bay (Fremont & north San Jose) UECNA:
Littlewood Chapel is an affiliate of the United Episcopal Church (UECNA) under the Missionary Bishop, the Most Reverend Peter Robinson (his biography). We are a lay-led Anglican community in Fremont with overlap in northern San Jose CA, giving the UECNA a physical presence in the lower Bay Area. As an official congregation in the UECNA, we have a single vote at District Convocation and National Convention. For worship we use the standard 1928 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and the 1901 Revised translation of the King James Bible (ASV). Our music is from the original Protestant Episcopal hymn book.
Since we are lay-led, it's no surprise our ceremony is relatively "low"-- having neither crosses nor candles. This is partly due to the solitary, or destitute, condition of our small congregation. But, low-churchmen, like ourselves, were also motivated by a catholic spirit, seeking unity with all Christians, especially other Protestants.
This charitable spirit was set forth by the historic Protestant Episcopal Church (PECUSA), mainly its mid-Atlantic section, when it revised the English BCP in 1785 to meet 'American circumstances'. Greater flexibility and brevity was purposefully written into the American book, often by rubrics, aiming to ease scruple of fellow Protestants, "removing, as far as possible, of all occasion of cavil or quarrel against the liturgy" (see our Longer Preface). Our congregation not only uses the 1928 BCP in light of this purpose but also by keeping bonds of peace historically practiced by low-church Anglicans (like class meetings-- see below)".
Although our labors at Littlewood Chapel are mostly directed toward friends and family– focusing on regular catechism and holy living– we wish to connect all ranks & stations of people to the 1928 Prayer Book, metered-psalms, and class meetings. Such outreach is much like the colonial SPG. Our "chapel library" draws from the best of original SPG/SPCK literature. Please contact us for private services held weekly in Fremont. Otherwise, we use the Quaker (Friends) Meeting House in San Jose CA for occasional Public Services-- about three times a year. We'd love to have you join our small community!
Since we are lay-led, it's no surprise our ceremony is relatively "low"-- having neither crosses nor candles. This is partly due to the solitary, or destitute, condition of our small congregation. But, low-churchmen, like ourselves, were also motivated by a catholic spirit, seeking unity with all Christians, especially other Protestants.
This charitable spirit was set forth by the historic Protestant Episcopal Church (PECUSA), mainly its mid-Atlantic section, when it revised the English BCP in 1785 to meet 'American circumstances'. Greater flexibility and brevity was purposefully written into the American book, often by rubrics, aiming to ease scruple of fellow Protestants, "removing, as far as possible, of all occasion of cavil or quarrel against the liturgy" (see our Longer Preface). Our congregation not only uses the 1928 BCP in light of this purpose but also by keeping bonds of peace historically practiced by low-church Anglicans (like class meetings-- see below)".
Although our labors at Littlewood Chapel are mostly directed toward friends and family– focusing on regular catechism and holy living– we wish to connect all ranks & stations of people to the 1928 Prayer Book, metered-psalms, and class meetings. Such outreach is much like the colonial SPG. Our "chapel library" draws from the best of original SPG/SPCK literature. Please contact us for private services held weekly in Fremont. Otherwise, we use the Quaker (Friends) Meeting House in San Jose CA for occasional Public Services-- about three times a year. We'd love to have you join our small community!
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20
Public Anglican Services:
The baptism of our son, Nathaniel, by the Rev. Paul 9/26/15
The chapel gathers in a public way about three times a year, either enjoying Holy Communion or the Daily Office. The remainder of time is given to class meetings and family prayer mostly at private homes. When conducting Public Worship, we usually observe Days and Rites sometimes missed by other Anglicans, say, Patriotic or National Days. When possible, we meet in the afternoon, reserving Sunday morning hours for friends belonging to more settled, denominational churches.
As said above, Public Services are either the Daily Office or Holy Communion. Holy Communion (and Baptism if desired) occur upon UE clergy availability. Otherwise, chapel worship (Evening or Morning Prayer) is lead by our lay-reader, Br. Charles Bartlett. Between the two daily offices, Evening Prayer is the preferred & the usual service. The Office for Evening Prayer is found in the first-half of the BCP (p. 29-36). It includes select readings or lessons taken from Scripture, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, declaring the Creed, and sometimes hymn singing. We often conclude Evening Prayer with teachings on the church catechism. Below is a list dates for Public Worship in 2018. Hope to see you soon!
As said above, Public Services are either the Daily Office or Holy Communion. Holy Communion (and Baptism if desired) occur upon UE clergy availability. Otherwise, chapel worship (Evening or Morning Prayer) is lead by our lay-reader, Br. Charles Bartlett. Between the two daily offices, Evening Prayer is the preferred & the usual service. The Office for Evening Prayer is found in the first-half of the BCP (p. 29-36). It includes select readings or lessons taken from Scripture, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, declaring the Creed, and sometimes hymn singing. We often conclude Evening Prayer with teachings on the church catechism. Below is a list dates for Public Worship in 2018. Hope to see you soon!
Dates for 2018 at the Friends' Meeting House. 1041 Morse St., in San Jose CA:
CANCELLED*: Morning Prayer. Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd, Thursday @ 10am
(*Mr. Bartlett's fifth child was born the end of October)
Dec. 31st We are having a private Covenant Service. Please call for details.
CANCELLED*: Morning Prayer. Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd, Thursday @ 10am
(*Mr. Bartlett's fifth child was born the end of October)
Dec. 31st We are having a private Covenant Service. Please call for details.
Again, please contact us for more information or any questions whatsoever. We are always available!
Cell: 408 564 2435. Email: ueprochapel@gmail.com
Cell: 408 564 2435. Email: ueprochapel@gmail.com
Class Meetings:
Today, class meetings are extinct among Anglicans. However, among pious Churchmen in the 18th-century, class or societal meetings were fairly common. In order "to give diligence, making our calling and election sure" (2 Pe. 1:10), the chapel supports and promotes class meetings-- following the famous examples of Church of England clergy like the Revs. Vincent Perronet, John Fletcher, Henry Venn, and William Grimshaw. Class meetings are a category of private worship, so they are held between public gatherings of the Church.
Class members follow a General Rule (or Rule of Life) pledging three parts. First, to avoid evil of every kind; second, doing good of every possible sort to all men; and, third, attending upon all the Ordinances of God. The general rule is a convenient way of monitoring our improvement in the Christian walk. The class meetings are non-denominational in character, only asking attendees “to flee the coming wrath, and be saved from their sin". Given right opportunity & season, we gently invite and encourage hearers at our Anglican Public Worship to try Class Meetings.
Class members follow a General Rule (or Rule of Life) pledging three parts. First, to avoid evil of every kind; second, doing good of every possible sort to all men; and, third, attending upon all the Ordinances of God. The general rule is a convenient way of monitoring our improvement in the Christian walk. The class meetings are non-denominational in character, only asking attendees “to flee the coming wrath, and be saved from their sin". Given right opportunity & season, we gently invite and encourage hearers at our Anglican Public Worship to try Class Meetings.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. Heb. 12:14
