Sacraments
Baptism
The Episcopal Church teaches that Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as His children and makes us members of Christ’s body, the church, and inheritors of the Kingdom of God. Baptism is a public statement of an intention to follow the way of Jesus.
At St. Alban's baptism is especially appropriate: in January at the Feast of the Epiphany, late March or April at Easter, late May early June at the Feast of Pentecost, and November’s celebration of All Saints’ Day. However, baptism can be scheduled any Sunday not in Lent. We welcome your inquiries! Call (520) 296-0791 or email us here.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the traditional way to become a member of the Episcopal Church. It is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a Bishop.
If you have been baptized and confirmed in a church that has this tradition, then you need only to be received by the Bishop to be recognized as a member of the Episcopal Church.
If you were confirmed as a young person in the Episcopal Church and would like to renew your Confirmation vows, you may renew those in the presence of the Bishop during a visit, typically in the season of Easter. Episcopal 101 is offered as both a Confirmation class and a brush-up of previous learning on Wednesday evenings during Lent.
Weddings
Holy Matrimony is Christian Marriage, in which a couple enters into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. St. Alban's is committed to the health and well-being of families, and we value our role in nurturing new unions.
St. Alban's is available for weddings, except during the season of Lent. All inquiries about marriage, requirements for weddings, and our customary at St. Alban's should be directed to the Rector at (520) 296-0791 or email him here. The service will strictly follow the form in the Book of Common Prayer.
The Episcopal Church teaches that Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as His children and makes us members of Christ’s body, the church, and inheritors of the Kingdom of God. Baptism is a public statement of an intention to follow the way of Jesus.
At St. Alban's baptism is especially appropriate: in January at the Feast of the Epiphany, late March or April at Easter, late May early June at the Feast of Pentecost, and November’s celebration of All Saints’ Day. However, baptism can be scheduled any Sunday not in Lent. We welcome your inquiries! Call (520) 296-0791 or email us here.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the traditional way to become a member of the Episcopal Church. It is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a Bishop.
If you have been baptized and confirmed in a church that has this tradition, then you need only to be received by the Bishop to be recognized as a member of the Episcopal Church.
If you were confirmed as a young person in the Episcopal Church and would like to renew your Confirmation vows, you may renew those in the presence of the Bishop during a visit, typically in the season of Easter. Episcopal 101 is offered as both a Confirmation class and a brush-up of previous learning on Wednesday evenings during Lent.
Weddings
Holy Matrimony is Christian Marriage, in which a couple enters into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. St. Alban's is committed to the health and well-being of families, and we value our role in nurturing new unions.
St. Alban's is available for weddings, except during the season of Lent. All inquiries about marriage, requirements for weddings, and our customary at St. Alban's should be directed to the Rector at (520) 296-0791 or email him here. The service will strictly follow the form in the Book of Common Prayer.
Funerals
Losing a loved one is a difficult time in a person’s life. No one should face this time alone, and we are here to assist you in these difficult times. As Episcopalians, our understanding of death and funerals is shaped by the Book of Common Prayer. When a person is near death, the Minister of the Congregation should be notified, in order that the ministrations of the Church may be provided. It is appropriate that the family and friends come together for prayers prior to the funeral. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be present. The Funeral Service is for us, the living, to celebrate the life of our loved one who has died. The priest will officiate the service, which may include the reading of scripture from the Book of Common Prayer, a sermon, and a eulogy by a close friend or family member. If the body is not present for the service, a memorial service will be arranged. We encourage members to pre-plan for their funeral service. If you would like to do so, please contact a member of the clergy and together we will explore the options for funerals and burial. We will keep these records on file at the church. |
The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." |