Christ Episcopal Church sits along Wooten Lake Road in Kennesaw, just minutes from the main campus of Kennesaw State University and easily reached from the Wade Green Road exit off Interstate 75. For more than fifty years, this parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has gathered people from across six continents and many corners of the Anglican Communion around a common altar, common prayer, and a common commitment to live the Gospel in the neighborhoods of Cobb County. The church's mission, drawn from the Book of Common Prayer, is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. That mission is shaped equally by reverence at the altar, by welcome at the door, and by service at the tables where the parish feeds its neighbors.
Three Liturgies Under One Roof
On any given Sunday, Christ Church offers three distinct expressions of Episcopal worship, each rooted in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and shaped to meet a different need in the congregation. This rhythm often surprises first-time visitors and reveals one of the great gifts of the Anglican tradition.
At 8:30 a.m., the parish gathers for Holy Eucharist, Rite I. The service is contemplative and largely spoken. Without hymn or choir, the liturgy uses the older, more poetic language of the Prayer Book tradition, with its thees and thous and cadences that descend from Thomas Cranmer. The quiet allows space for silence and prayer, and the unfamiliarity of the language can itself be a reminder that worship is not ordinary conversation. Rite I was a regular part of Christ Church's life from 2017 until the pandemic interrupted in-person worship. Its restoration represents a return to something that belonged to the parish long before then.
At 9:15 a.m., JoyMass fills the nave with a different kind of energy. This formational liturgy is designed especially for children and their grown-ups, drawing on resources from the Church of England and supplemental Episcopal liturgical materials like Enriching Our Worship. JoyMass keeps the recognizable shape of Christian worship - Scripture, prayer, proclamation, table, bread and wine - but introduces children to it through joyful, accessible participation. There are questions asked aloud, enthusiastic answers, occasional holy chaos, and the unmistakable sound of the Body of Christ fully alive. JoyMass is not watered down. It is intentional, rooted in the Church's worship, and treats children as full members of the assembly from the start.
At 10:30 a.m., the principal liturgy, Holy Eucharist Rite II, fills the church with hymns, choir, fuller ceremonial, and the glorious noise of a large gathered congregation. The language is contemporary English, though still elevated. Choir, organ, and other instruments lead the congregation not as performers but as fellow worshipers, helping the assembly lift its voice together in praise.
Between the Sunday liturgies, Adult and Youth Formation gathers in parish spaces for learning, discussion, and fellowship around Scripture, faith, and Christian life. The work represents the completion of a multi-year effort to restore intentional Christian formation for every stage of life, from the nursery through the oldest members of the parish.
The Eucharist at the Heart of the Week
For the people of Christ Church, the Eucharist is not an occasional accessory to worship. Every Sunday, no matter the season, the liturgy moves toward the same destination: the Lord's Table. Preaching, music, prayers, and readings all point to the moment when the assembly gathers at the altar to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
This conviction is rooted in Scripture itself. When Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth, he does not simply remind them of an event from long ago. He hands on what he himself received: that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and that the command which followed, Do this in remembrance of me, carries the biblical sense of remembrance as participation. Every Eucharist gathers the assembly into Christ's death and resurrection and proclaims his promised return.
All are welcome at the altar at Christ Church. Anyone baptized, regardless of denominational background, may receive the Eucharist. Those who prefer a blessing are invited to cross their arms over their chest as they come forward. Basic instructions are printed in the service bulletin, but the church reminds visitors that there is no need to worry about doing it right. The most important thing is simply to know that God welcomes you.
On most Sundays when two clergy are present at the 10:30 liturgy, the Sacrament of Unction is offered near the oratory and icons during Communion. The priest anoints the person with the Oil of the Infirm, oil blessed and set apart for the Church's ministry to those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit. Unction is not reserved for those near death. Anxiety, grief, addiction, depression, a frightening diagnosis, or simply a season in which God's healing grace is needed are all reasons to come forward. Christian healing does not always mean physical cure. Sometimes it comes through recovery, through medicine, through reconciliation, peace, courage, acceptance, or the strength to endure.
Children Welcome in Every Pew
Few things distinguish Christ Church as clearly as its welcome of children. There are no adults-only parish events, because the parish believes hospitality means making room for the full household of God. Children are central to who the church is.
The Nursery, staffed by trained caregivers and available every Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., welcomes children from infancy through age four. It sits just across the hall from the main entrance to the worship space, and parents are encouraged to use it as a resource rather than an expectation. The presence of children, in all their energy, noise, and joy, is not treated as a distraction from worship but as a sign of the Church fully alive.
As children grow, they take on meaningful roles in the parish's common life. They serve as acolytes carrying the cross and candles at the altar, as lectors proclaiming the Scriptures, and as ushers welcoming worshipers at the door. Acolyting is a year-round ministry for youth and adults, with training provided and no previous experience required. The parish's youth group, led by ordained clergy, creates space for young people to ask big questions about God, the world, and themselves and to expect honest, thoughtful, and accessible answers in the context of Christian community.
The parish also marks the rhythms of the school year together. The annual Blessing of the Backpacks each August invites students, educators, and school administrators to bring the bags that accompany them into their calling and receive a blessing upon the work they represent. The parish partners with three local elementary schools - Chalker, Palmer, and Pitner - through its Boxes-to-Backpacks ministry, gathering and delivering school supplies in the days after Labor Day so that students and teachers can begin the year with what they need.
Pastoral Care Across the Parish
The pastoral life of Christ Church extends well beyond Sunday morning. Three clergy share the work of visiting the sick, anointing the suffering, and bringing Holy Communion to those who cannot attend worship. The Rector, the Rev'd Fr. Ben Day, the Associate Rector, the Rev'd Fr. Lenworth Haughton, and the Parish Deacon, the Rev'd Dcn. Jess W. Speaker III, are accessible to parishioners at any hour.
People sometimes think they should only contact clergy when a loved one is in the hospital or when something catastrophic has happened. The parish is clear that this is not the case. A text saying I'm really struggling today. Could you pray for me? is enough. The clergy do not expect to be notified by the hospital; they would rather receive the same news three times than never receive it at all.
For those facing the end of life, the Book of Common Prayer provides an ancient ministry called Ministration at the Time of Death. It includes prayers commending the dying into the mercy and keeping of God and may be accompanied by anointing, reconciliation and absolution, and Holy Communion. The clergy will come to the home, hospital, hospice, or care facility whenever reasonably possible, and they urge families to call sooner rather than later when death appears near.
The parish also offers the Rite of Reconciliation for those who wish to make sacramental confession. The seal of confession is binding and legally protected, and there is no shame in asking for it. Clergy treat all pastoral conversations as completely confidential from the outset, though there are circumstances under Georgia law and in safeguarding responsibilities in which limits may apply. Anyone for whom confidentiality is especially important is always welcome to ask about its limits before sharing.
The St. Michael First Responder Chapel
At the heart of the parish's outreach to its neighbors sits a small, quiet, consecrated space: the St. Michael First Responder Chapel. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the chapel offers law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel a place to rest, pray, and find hope in the middle of long and difficult shifts.
A dedicated lay ministry keeps the chapel stocked with drinks and snacks and ensures that the space remains orderly, comfortable, and peaceful. For first responders who daily place themselves in harm's way for the sake of the community, this simple hospitality is itself a form of ministry. Members of the congregation who stop by the church during the day may find a police officer sitting quietly inside, or a firefighter stepping out of his cruiser to take a breath before returning to the road.
MUST Ministries and the Extension
The parish lives out its mission through several longstanding partnerships with local organizations serving the most vulnerable in Cobb County.
Each summer, Christ Church plays a vital role in the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program. The parish collects supplies, assembles meal kits, and delivers them to MUST for distribution to children in the community who depend on free and reduced lunch during the school year. When those school meals pause for the summer months, the parish steps in to ensure that nourishment, consistency, and care continue without interruption. More than three hundred children are served by the program each week, and the parish's involvement is one of its signature acts of seasonal outreach.
The Extension ministry brings parishioners into regular relationship with the men and women served by the Men's and Women's Extensions of Cobb County, transitional housing communities for those navigating the complex realities of homelessness and addiction. Volunteers help provide food, fellowship, and encouragement, not as a one-off act of charity but as a sustained relationship. After Sunday worship at Christ Church, parishioners regularly gather ingredients, prepare a meal, and head over to one of the Extensions to share the evening with residents. Music fills the room. Stories are exchanged. The work of mission is not an extra thing the Church does on the side. It is essential to who the Church is.
Anglican Roots, Episcopal Identity
Christ Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, which is itself part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The parish's theology, liturgy, and governance flow from that heritage. The church uses the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the supplementary resources authorized by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. It understands ministry sacramentally and incarnationally, holding to the historic concept of apostolic succession while remaining grounded in the daily rhythm of common prayer.
The parish is also intentional about diversity as a gift that strengthens the Body of Christ. The congregation gathers from across six continents and many corners of the Anglican Communion, and its clergy, staff, lay leadership, and congregation reflect the breadth of God's people across gender, nationality, sexual orientation, age, and background. The parish is also home to 12-step recovery communities, whose presence reminds the congregation that the Church is not a gathering of the perfected but a community of people continually being restored by God's mercy.
The Holy Rosary, prayed communally on the first Wednesday of each month, draws on a centuries-old Christian devotion that predates the Reformation and has a place within the Anglican and Episcopal tradition. The congregation prays the Rosary together in the nave, with no previous experience required.
Lay Ministries: Many Hands, One Body
The life of the parish is sustained by dozens of lay ministries, each offering a way for members to share their gifts, build relationships, and support the work of the church.
- At the altar, Acolytes carry the cross and candles and assist the clergy. Lectors proclaim the appointed Scripture lessons and may also serve as chalice bearers during Holy Communion. Eucharistic Visitors extend the parish's worship and care by taking Holy Communion to those who are sick, hospitalized, homebound, or aging.
- Behind the scenes, the Altar Guild prepares the altar, sacred vessels, linens, candles, and vestments, ensuring that worship is conducted with reverence, beauty, and attention to detail. The Flower Guild arranges flowers for regular services, feast days, weddings, and funerals. The Garden Guild tends the church grounds, gardens, and Memorial Garden, creating outdoor spaces for reflection and hospitality.
- The AV Guild supports the online broadcast of Sunday services and special liturgies so that homebound parishioners, travelers, newcomers, and others can participate remotely in the worship life of the parish. Ushers greet worshipers as they arrive, distribute bulletins, assist with seating, collect the offering, and guide the congregation during Communion.
- Hospitality ministries include Coffee Hour Hosts, who provide refreshments in the narthex after the 10:30 a.m. worship, and Greeters, who offer a friendly face and helpful guidance to visitors and newcomers. The Episcopal Church Women's Group gathers women of the parish for fellowship, service, spiritual growth, and outreach. The Prayer Blankets knitting group creates handmade items as tangible signs of prayer, comfort, and care.
- Seasonal ministries include the Angel Tree, which collects and distributes Christmas gifts to families in need in the parish and through community school partnerships.
Music and Beauty in Worship
Music is central to the worshiping life of Christ Church. The Choir, under the direction of Director of Music and Choirmaster Susan Stephens, helps lead the congregation in worship through hymns, anthems, service music, and special offerings throughout the program year. New singers and musicians are always welcome. Patience, commitment, and a joyful heart are the most important qualifications.
The Bell Choir, directed by Deb Gerace, adds beauty and celebration to worship through handbell music, especially on festival days and other special services. Violinist and Parish Musician Marla Feeney also contributes her gifts to the parish's liturgical life. The Flower Guild and Altar Guild work together to ensure that the visual environment of worship matches the depth of the prayer.
Formation for Every Age
Christian formation at Christ Church spans every stage of life. The nursery cares for the youngest members, JoyMass introduces elementary-aged children and their families to the rhythms of Episcopal worship, and Adult and Youth Formation provides ongoing opportunities for parishioners to grow in faith, ask good questions, and explore Christian life through Scripture, theology, prayer, and conversation.
Weekly Bible studies include a Women's Bible Study on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Dendtler Hall Boardroom, a Women's Lectionary Bible Study on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. in St. Francis Chapel, and a Men's Bible Study also on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Dendtler Hall Boardroom. Each week, the Lectionary Bible Study studies and reflects on the appointed Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday.
On weekday mornings, the parish gathers for Morning Prayer (Rite II) at 8:30 a.m. in St. Francis Chapel, joining a rhythm of worship shared across the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican tradition. The parish calendar, available online through Tockify, keeps the community informed of upcoming opportunities to learn, pray, and serve together.
Sacred Occasions: Baptism, Marriage, and Burial
The parish walks with families through the milestones of life. Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. It is offered both for infants and for adults, and those seeking baptism for themselves or for a child begin the process by submitting a Baptism Request form. Fr. Ben or Fr. Lenworth then contacts the family to arrange a conversation, discuss preparation, and schedule the baptism.
Christian marriage at Christ Church is understood as a sacred covenant in which two people make lifelong promises to one another in the presence of God and the Church. Couples considering marriage at the parish submit a Wedding Request form and meet with a member of the clergy to discuss preparation, the wedding process, and possible dates.
At the time of death, the parish offers its ministry of care and prayer. A Funeral Planning Guide is available to help families navigate the practical steps, and the clergy are available to pray with the dying, anoint them, and stand with their loved ones through the Ministration at the Time of Death from the Book of Common Prayer. The Christ Church Memorial Garden is also available for inurnment and burial, with administration of the garden supported by a lay ministry that keeps records organized and up to date.
Visiting Christ Church
Visitors to Christ Church will find a parish that is welcoming, inclusive, and multicultural, anchored by worship and community, and committed to celebrating the many expressions of God's love and grace in the world.
There are several entrances to the church designed to be accessible to those with mobility needs or other physical limitations. All entrances to the church are stepless, and the Parish Hall entrance also includes a ramp. Inside the church, several pews are shortened to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, including the front pews on either side of the center aisle near the altar and the pews near the large baptismal font.
Free parking is available on site in the main lot, with clearly marked accessible spaces located just in front of the main entrance. At certain times of the year and on major feast days, parking can become quite full. Attendees are then encouraged to use additional space by parallel parking along the drive in front of the Rectory (Parish House) and the Celebration Barn, as well as in the clearing adjacent to the Parish House.
The 10:30 a.m. service is livestreamed weekly on YouTube and archived for later viewing. Recordings of recent services are available through the parish's YouTube channel. Online giving is available through Realm, and the Parish Post, a weekly e-newsletter, keeps members informed of upcoming events, formation opportunities, and news from across the parish.
For more than fifty years, Christ Episcopal Church has been faithful to God's greatest commandment: love for God, neighbors, and self alike. In its three Sunday liturgies, its many lay ministries, its pastoral care, and its service to the wider community, the parish lives out its conviction that in loving and serving others, we find our purpose and hope in God.