Access for persons with disabilities is through the Office Door on N. 11th St. Click photo to got to Directions and Accessibility page.
Acolytes
Q: How old must a youth be to serve as an Acolyte? A: The minimum age is 8 years old. Adults may be acolytes as well.
Q: What kind of instruction do Acolytes receive? A: They receive full training from the Director of Acolytes (acolytecontact@stmichaelsarlington.org) in all duties, including vesting, lighting candles and movements during services.
Q: What is the schedule of responsibilities? A: Acolytes serve at one or two services per month.
Q: How frequently are baptisms performed at St. Michael’s? A: Baptisms are performed throughout the year at St. Michael's, except for the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Q:With whom should we speak about having our new baby baptized? A: Contact the Rector in the Parish Office at 703-241-2474 or at rector@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Christian Education
Q: Does St. Michael’s offer a regular schedule of Christian educational opportunities? A: Yes. Please check the Education page of this website and Sunday bulletin for updates about our Christian Education offerings for all ages.
Q: Is there Bible study at St. Michael’s? A:
There are periodic Bible study courses at St. Michael's. The website
and Sunday bulletin will have information about specific Bible study
courses being offered.
Q: Who provides the instruction in Christian education? A: Our teachers include St. Michael's Rector, seminarians and guest teachers for
Adult Education, and lay volunteers for Children's Education. Q: Is instruction offered after work and on week-ends? A: All Christian Education offerings are after work or on week-ends. Q: Are attendees required to pay a fee to attend Church-sponsored educational activities? A:
Most Christian Education activities are free. For some courses there
are materials to purchase. There is a small fee for Vacation Bible
School. Scholarships are available for all Christian Education
offerings. Confidential requests for assistance may be made to the
Rector at rector@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Facility Use
Q: I’m involved in a lot of community activities. We often need space for large group meetings. Do I have to be a member of St. Michael’s to use the Parish Hall for a non-Church activity? A: You need not be a member of St. Michael's to arrange for use of the Parish Hall.
Q:May we use St. Michael’s after-hours, when the Church office is closed? A: Yes.
Q:What is the capacity of the Parish Hall? A: Maximum capacity is 175. There is room for approximately 100 seated at tables.
Q:Is St. Michael’s near a Metro stop? Is the stop within walking distance of the Church? A: St. Michael's is located between the Ballston and East Falls Church Metro stations on the Orange line. It is approximately a 20-25 minute walk from either Metro station to the Church.
Q:St. Michael’s is in a residential neighborhood. Are any parking restrictions in place? Are there any parking-related issues we should be aware of before we schedule an activity? A: There is ample on-street parking with no restrictions. Three parking spaces are reserved for those with disabilities. Please go to the Directions page for more information.
Q:Are there any times of the year when the Church may not be used for any outside activity? A: The Parish Hall is reserved year round, depending on space availability.
Q:For how many hours may I use the Church’s facilities on any given day or evening? A: Hours are negotiable.
Q:What, if any, outside activities may not be held on Church property; that is, are there any restrictions on use of the Church? A: St. Michael's reserves the right to decline a request to reserve space.
Q:What is the fee to use the Parish Hall for a non-Church activity? A: Fees are negotiable depending upon the space needs and setup/clean up necessary.
Q:How far in advance do I have to reserve a space for a meeting? A: We accept reservations at any time.
Q:How do I reserve a date and time to use the Church? A: Contact the Parish Administrator at the Parish Office by phone at 703-241-2474 or email at parishoffice@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q:Is there an electronic form on your Website that I can use to schedule my group’s meeting? A: No form is necessary. Simply contact the Parish Office via phone or email.
Q:Will I receive an acknowledgment that my request has been received? By e-mail or regular mail, or by phone? A: Acknowledgment is made via email or phone.
Q:How quickly can I expect to be notified that my request has been granted? A: We respond to requests during regular business hours, Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Requests are usually processed within 2 business days.
Q:Who is responsible for making sure that scheduling conflicts are avoided? A: The Parish Administrator makes every effort to avoid schedule conflicts.
Q:Whom do I contact if I have to cancel an after-hours event at the Church? A: During business hours, contact the Parish Office.
Q:Is St. Michael’s smoke-free? A: St. Michael's is a smoke-free facility.
Q:Some members of our group have disabilities? On what floor is the Parish Hall? Does St. Michael’s have an elevator? A: The Parish Hall is on the lower floor of the church. Persons with disabilities may access the Parish Hall by entering the church through the Parish Office door and taking the elevator to the lower level. See the Directions page of this website.
Q:Is the Parish Hall equipped with tables and chairs we can use? A: Yes, chairs and 5 foot rectangular tables are available.
Q:Are kitchen facilities available for our use? A: Yes. Please note, you may be asked to pay a separate fee to use the kitchen.
Q:How equipped is the kitchen (does it have a dishwasher, stove, oven, refrigerator, etc.)? A: The kitchen is fully equipped with all appliances, cookware and serving dishes.
Q:Is there a restroom on the same floor as the Parish Hall? A: An accessible restroom is available on the same floor as the Parish Hall.
Q:Are coat racks or closets available to use? A: Coat racks are available for use.
Q:Are fire extinguishers available in the Parish Hall? How many? A: There is one fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another in the main area of the Parish Hall.
Q:How many exits are there from the Parish Hall? A: There are two direct exits from the Parish Hall, one of which is accessible to those with disabilities.
Q:Is a telephone available in the Parish Hall for emergency use? A: No, no telephone is available for public use. Cell phones usually will work in the Parish Hall.
Q:Will someone be onsite after-hours for security purposes, to handle problems like a stopped-up toilet, to turn out lights, and to lock up the Church after our meeting has concluded? A: The Sexton is available, for a separate fee, to be present for your event.
Funerals
Q: With whom should I speak about funeral arrangements at St. Michael’s? A: Contact the Rector at the parish office by telephone at 703-241-2474 or at rector@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q:What are the requirements for interment in the Memorial Garden? A: There is a $500 fee for interment in the Memorial Garden. The fee may be waived at the discretion of the Rector.
Illness and Visitations
Q: If I contract a serious illness and cannot attend church on Sundays, may I receive Communion in hospital and at home? If yes, how do I make arrangements for that? A: Yes. Please contact the Rector at the Parish Office on 703-241-2474 or by email at rector@stmichaelsarlington.org. In case of emergency, please contact the Rector on her cell phone: 703-371-9433.
Q:What should I do to arrange to assist with Church-related activities at area nursing homes? A: Please contact the Nursing Home Ministry at nhmincontact@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Mission and Outreach
Q: Do I have to be a member of St. Michael’s to take part in St. Michael’s Mission-and-Outreach activities? A: No, everyone is welcome to participate!
Q:How do I as an outsider make known my interest in working with Mission and Outreach? A: Contact the Mission and Outreach Chair at outreachcontact@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q:We are collaborating with St. Michael’s on a Mission-and-Outreach event. May we add St. Michael’s banner or logo to our Website or to our own promotional materials for the event? A: Please feel free!
Q:Who is in charge of publicity for Mission and Outreach? A: Individual members of the Mission and Outreach committee handle publicity for various outreach areas. To find out the specific person to contact, please email the committee chair at outreachcontact@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q: How old is St. Michael’s organ? A: The organ was built in 2000.
Q: How many members are in St. Michael’s choir? A: Currently the choir has 12 members.
Q: Do guest musicians ever perform at St. Michael’s? A: Yes, they do.
Q: May parishioners with musical talent and training participate in services? A: Yes. Please contact the Organist and Choirmaster by email at music@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q: What style of music is performed during services? A:
Hymns are from the Hymnal 1982. Choral and instrumental music comprises a
variety of styles, focusing mostly on traditional church music.
Q: Is contemporary choral and instrumental music offered at St. Michael’s? A: Yes. it is.
Q: Who’s responsible for the selection of music at St. Michael’s? Are parishioners’ suggestions for music considered? A:
The Rector is canonically responsible for the selection of music at St.
Michael's, in consultation with the Organist and Choir Music. If you
have suggestions for music, please contact the Rector at
rector@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Weddings
Q: My fiancé and I are planning our wedding. How much advance notice must we give to be married at St. Michael’s? A: Please give at least 9 months of advance notice. All weddings are subject to the approval of the Rector. If you are interested in being married at St. Michael's, contact the Rector via email at rector@stmichaelsarlington.org.
Q:We’d like to be married in the evening. Are evening weddings allowed at St. Michael’s? A: Weddings may take place up until 6:00 p.m.
Q:What are the requirements to be married at St. Michael’s? A: At least one member of the couple to be married must be attending St. Michael's regularly or be a past member of the church. Six pre-marital counseling sessions are required in addition to planning for the ceremony.
Q:May an outside priest celebrate our wedding at St. Michael’s? A: At the Rector's discretion, an Episcopal priest in good standing may be invited to celebrate a wedding at St. Michael's.
Q:How does the St. Michael’s Altar Guild help out with weddings? A: The Altar Guild sets up for the wedding and assists the Rector at the rehearsal and wedding.
Q:Are there any restrictions on use of flowers, ribbons, or the like during a wedding? A: Flowers are restricted to the altar, the windows and the ends of the pews. No runners are allowed in the aisle. The Rector will explain any other restrictions.
Q:May we retain St. Michael’s organist for our wedding? A: Yes, this is preferred.
Q:May we bring in our own musicians for the wedding? A: Yes, subject to approval by the Rector.
Q:What is the capacity of the church? A: The maximum is 125. See the "Facility Use" FAQs for more information on capacity and use of St. Michael's facilities.
