New to All Saints Cochrane?

Wondering what All Saints Cochrane is all about?

Worried if you will fit in? You will find some answers in this section; and don't worry, we don't bite!

Who are you, exactly?

All Saints Anglican Church, Cochrane is a member of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, which is in the Ecclesiastical province of Rupert's Land in the Anglican Church of Canada, which is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion.

We are Christians who are a part of a worldwide family of churches born out of the Church in England, which emerged as a distinct expression of Christian faith over 450 years ago and now spans six continents and over 165 countries.

Established in 1888 with the city of Calgary as its base, the Diocese of Calgary is one of thirty dioceses which make up the Anglican Church of Canada and one of ten dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land. The Anglican Diocese of Calgary includes approximately 10,000 Anglicans in 71 active parishes in the southern part of the Province of Alberta. From the Saskatchewan border in the east to the British Columbia border in the west and from the U.S. border in the south to an east-west line running through Lacombe just north of Red Deer, the Anglican Diocese of Calgary encompasses an area of approximately 88,000 square kilometres.

All Saints Cochrane was formed in 1892, just 4 years after the diocese, in a little town called Mitford that no longer exists. When the saw mill in Mitford closed, the Church building was moved to the larger town of Cochrane. If you are a history buff, there is more information on the ABOUT page of this website.

Are You C of E?

In England, Anglicans are called "Church of England" or C of E; in the USA, Anglicans are called "Episcopalian"; in New Zealand, the church is called the "Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia". There is a lot of history behind all these names, but you don't need to know that to visit us. Suffice it to say that we are Anglican.

What is the service like?

The Sunday service lasts about and hour with a mix of hymns and praise songs, a short sermon on a Bible reading, and a Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion). We follow a set order of service from the Book of Alternative Services (called the BAS) which is based on the Book of Common Prayer for the Anglican Church of Canada. Most of what you will need to participate in the service is projected on screens on the front wall so everyone can join in without fumbling through books.

Are only Members/Anglicans allowed?

No.

Everyone is who is baptized is welcome to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.  If you are a part of another Christian tradition and receive Holy Communion there, you are welcome here. If you are eager to receive Holy Communion and are not baptized, please speak to one of the priests about baptism. Or if you would like to receive communion but there is something on your mind that you would like to discuss first, again please feel free to speak to one of the clergy. They would be happy to talk with you.

You are also invited to come forward to receive a blessing if you are not receiving Communion. Please place your hands over your chest and the priest will bless you. If you are receiving communion, please place your hands out and the priest will place the consecrated host in them. The person administering the cup will then follow and you can gently guide the cup to your lips to receive the consecrated wine.

For those concerned about picking up bugs, be assured that the interaction of the wine and the silver chalice is very antiseptic. And the priest or deacon drink up what remains as the end every week. And they look fairly healthy! Anglicans believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We are not just remembering him in our minds; he is offering himself to us each week when we open our hands.

What about my kids?

Kids are welcome, too! During the school year (roughly early September to late June) we do provide activities for grade school age children during the (boring?) sermon part. At other times we provide an activity packet that will keep them occupied.

For younger children who get fussy, there is a play area with toys that parents can take them to, but it has large windows looking into the sanctuary, and a speaker system so the parents can still hear the service.

All children who are baptized are welcomed and invited to receive Holy Communion. We believe it is baptism that admits us to Christ’s community, the Church. If you have any questions, please speak to one of the priests.

We encourage those who were baptized as infants or young children to prepare for Confirmation at a suitable time, traditionally during (but not limited to) adolescence. In Confirmation we "confirm" the promises made in our baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to become active in living out God’s Kingdom in the world in their daily lives. Those adults who are coming back to the faith after some absence may want to be Confirmed (if they are not already), or formally Re-Affirm their faith while others are being confirmed. Those who wish to be received into the Anglican Communion will be formally Received by the Archbishop when he comes to celebrate Confirmation.

Where do I park?

We have a large parking lot next to the Church. There should be no trouble finding a spot. We even plow it in winter!

What do I wear?

The days of people wearing their "Sunday Best" have passed. Some men still wear jackets, but most are very casual. The women no longer wear hats, and pants are just as good as a skirt. In summer we even wear shorts and sandals! Remember, we want to see you, not what you wear!

Are you handicap/wheelchair accessible?

Yes. There is no barrier to enter the building and the aisles are wide. There are handicap marked parking spots near the front door, and there is also a handicap washroom on the main level. The sanctuary has wide aisles and is accessible right up to the altar area.

How can I get connected?

You can browse the rest of this website, or call or email the office using the contact information at the bottom of the page.  We also have various small groups that might be of interest to you where you can meet some of our congregation doing non-churchy things (hiking and photography, for example). 

What's with all those Clergy titles?

The Clergy at All Saints have different titles that reflect their different roles. Other Churches may use Pastor, Minister or Preacher, but with the history of our denomination comes several unique and distinct titles.

Incumbent: This is a legal title of the priest who has, by the Diocesan Bishop, been formally given the Cure of Souls, that is, the responsibility for the spiritual care of the people in a parish. The Incumbent is also canonically responsible for the administration of the parish. (The rules or bylaws of an Anglican Church are called Canons, another fun term!) While the legal title of Incumbent is normally used in the Diocese of Calgary, historical titles of Rector and Vicar are sometimes used.

Curate: A priest who has been assigned to assist the Incumbent of a parish, but usually on a short-term basis. In the Diocese of Calgary, a Curate specifically denotes an assistant who is most likely recently ordained and is undergoing mentoring. The Curate's salary is paid for by the Diocese.

Honorary Assistant: This is a clergy person who has been invited by the Incumbent and authorized by the Bishop to function in a parish. Often, they are retired clergy who are part of the parish and wish to assist on occasion. This is not a paid position.

And just a note about personal titles. This is sometimes called "styling" and is a way to denote the hierarchy of position.

A Deacon is a distinct order in the Anglican church. There are 2 types. Transitional Deacons are people who will eventually be ordained as Priests. Vocational Deacons are people who live out their ministry in this servant role. If you would like to learn more about who a Deacon is, you can go to this link Deacon. In any case a Deacon is addressed as The Reverend or The Reverend Deacon.

A Priest is usually styled as The Reverend, The Reverend Father/Mother (sometimes shortened to Father/Mother), or The Reverend Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Doctor.

The Incumbent at a Diocesan Cathedral has a special title called Dean, and they are styled as The Very Reverend. The Cathedral for the Diocese of Calgary is the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer.

The Archdeacon is a regular priest but has been assigned by the Bishop to oversee and co-ordinate a section of the Diocese (there are 4 in the Diocese of Calgary) as well as his/her own parish. The Archdeacon is styled The Venerable.

A Bishop of a Diocese is elected by members of the Diocese to oversee the general administration of a Diocese. All Clergy in the Diocese work for the Bishop. The style for a Bishop is The Right Reverend. In the Diocese of Calgary we also have a bishop who is responsible for Indigenous churches.

An Archbishop is a Bishop who has been elected to administer an Ecclesiastical Province, which is a group of Dioceses. An Archbishop is styled as The Most Reverend. Currently the Bishop of Calgary is also the Archbishop of Rupert's Land which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, a little of Northern Ontario and Quebec, and all of the Arctic.

Whatever the title, styling or position, these people lead the Church so that we can worship God together.

Just remember, you are welcome at All Saints.

We hope to see you soon!