dear friends in christ...a message from our rector, rick westbury

Welcome to Christ Church! We are a dynamic, diverse gathering of Christians committed to accommodating, nurturing and challenging all who would join our life and ministry together.

As an Episcopal Church, we are part of the world-wide Anglican Communion. We celebrate the identity we enjoy as Anglicans and find that it very much defines our personality and patterns of common life. Rather than seeking agreement on all of life’s questions, we hear the voice of God and find the radical edge of the Gospel as we live and engage in honest, respectful and stimulating conversation. The face of God is seen in the dynamic tension we hold; God is very much alive in the balance and even the messiness of life.

Worship has a variety of expressions at Christ Church. First, we are a multi-campus community with worship sites in Ponte Vedra, on San Pablo Road in Jacksonville and at the Serenata Beach Club. For the most part, our style of worship at all three sites is traditional. But it’s traditional with energy, fun and—in at least one location—more contemporary music. Christ Church offers nine different opportunities for Eucharist (Holy Communion) every weekend. Our Ponte Vedra campus offers Holy Eucharist at three different services on Wednesdays, and Evening Prayer on several afternoons. The Saturday and Sunday afternoon and Wednesday 11a.m. services are healing services, where special prayers are offered at the conclusion of worship.

Although we are a large community of faith where some find it easy to dwell in the shadows, once we welcome you into the family, the opportunities for engagement are significant. We are strongly committed to Christian Formation, and we host as many as ten different adult classes each week. Whether a Bible study, a book study, a class on financial peace, church history, parenting or strengthening your marriage, we enjoy many opportunities to encourage each other and find spiritual stimulation. We employ the Godly Play program for our children and find that it encourages them to take ownership of their faith at a very young age. Programs for youth and young adults, young families, singles and seniors, are all a priority.

What naturally follows from strong formational and spiritual life programs is the desire “to do justice” in the world around us. Christ Church is an impact church dedicated to many expressions of outreach, both locally and around the world. We invite you to join us in celebrating our community, our nation, our world and our God. Together, we help penetrate the darkness. Together, we shine.