Weddings, Baptisms
& Funerals
Weddings
One of the great gifts of our Historic church is the sacred setting it provides for the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage. Many current members were married at St. John’s, and it was through that experience that they chose our congregation as their church home. If you are considering being married at St. John’s, we would be delighted to explore the possibilities with you.
Weddings at St. John’s are conducted according to the Book of Common Prayer or supplemental liturgies for same sex marriages approved by the Episcopal Church. Our rector, the Rev. Amelie Wilmer, officiates at all weddings and provides the premarital counseling. Parish Administrator Patty Duffy and parishioner Sarah File Lineberger serve as our wedding coordinators, and Curt Sydnor, our Minister of Music, as organist. If you are interested in being married at St. John’s, please contact Patty Duffy.
For additional details, see our brochure.
Funerals
Planning for a funeral or memorial service, whether making decisions in advance for your own service, or planning a service for a loved one who has died, begins with a member of St. John’s clergy. Our clergy and staff will guide you through the process, providing suggestions for lessons and music and other concerns regarding the service. It is important to begin the process with the rector.
The Burial Office from the Book of Common Prayer is used and the service can include Communion. The Rite One service (page 469) uses more traditional language, and the Rite Two service (page 491) uses contemporary language. Clergy and our Minister of Music can help you select music from our Hymnal and other sources.
We will produce printed programs for the service for you according to a format we have developed. The clergy can show you samples of these bulletins.
Flowers for the funeral are arranged and placed by the St. John’s Altar Guild. Please call the parish office for additional guidelines and details. 804-649-7938
The death of a member of the church should be reported as soon as possible. You may call the parish office at 804-649-7938. If death occurs at a time when the office is closed, please email our Rector and a member of the clergy will contact you.
The St. John’s Columbarium and Memorial Garden
If you wish to have your ashes, or those of a loved one, interred in the Columbarium or Memorial Garden, please contact Patty Duffy
Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is unbreakable.
Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist, the chief service on a Sunday or other feast day.
The bishop, when present, is the celebrant and preaches the Word and presides at the Baptism and the Eucharist. At the Baptism, the bishop officiates at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates, says the Thanksgiving over the Water, consecrates the chrism, and reads the prayer, “Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit.”
In the absence of a bishop, a priest celebrates and presides. If a priest uses Chrism in signing the newly baptized, it must have been previously consecrated by a bishop.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism is sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and by example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants present their candidates, make promises in their own names to support the child’s growth in Christ, and also take vows on behalf of the child.
Baptismal Preparation
In preparation for the baptism of a child, both the child‘s parents and godparents receive instruction from a clergy member. Adult baptisms continue to be a cause for great celebration in our church as well. In the early Church, adult baptisms were the norm, as more and more people heard and responded to the Gospel. We encourage adults who are exploring the Christian faith at St. John’s to discuss the possibility of baptism with a clergy member. Many adults seeking baptism take part in an Inquirers Class as part of their preparation.
For more information about baptism please contact our Parish Office at (804) 649-7938.
