The Sacraments
Our Anglican tradition recognizes sacraments as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 857). We believe that a sacrament conveys divine grace, blessing, or sanctity upon the believer who participates in it. Holy Baptism and the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) are the two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church. In addition to these two great sacraments instituted by Christ, our tradition recognizes five additional sacramental rites: Confirmation, Reconciliation of a Penitent (or Confession), Matrimony (or Marriage), Holy Orders (Ordination), and Unction (Anointing of the Sick).
Holy Eucharist
We come together every Sunday at 10:30 AM for worship that centers around the Holy Eucharist (also known as the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Communion). In the Eucharist, Christ’s body and blood become present in the elements of bread and wine. Our celebration of Holy Eucharist encompasses both organ and music led by the St. Cecilia Choir, alongside the congregation joining in traditional hymns. Music is an important part of our Anglican heritage, serving as a pathway to embrace the beauty of Holiness, where we attune ourselves to the Holy Spirit and encounter the magnificence of God.
All are welcome to receive Communion at All Souls.
Baptism
In the waters of Baptism, we are lovingly adopted by God into God’s family, which we call the Church, and given God’s own life to share and reminded that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. Holy Baptism, which can be performed through pouring of water or immersion in it, marks a formal entrance to the congregation and the wider Church; the candidates for the sacrament make a series of vows, including an affirmation of the Baptismal Covenant, and are baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are marked as Christ’s own forever, having “clothed [themselves] with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
All people of any age are welcome to be baptized; we believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, as the “bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).
If you are interested in receiving the sacrament of Holy Baptism at All Souls, please contact the parish office.
Marriage (Holy Matrimony)
We come together every Sunday at 10:30 AM for worship that centers around the Holy Eucharist (also known as the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Communion). In the Eucharist, Christ’s body and blood become present in the elements of bread and wine. Our celebration of Holy Eucharist encompasses both organ and music led by the St. Cecilia Choir, alongside the congregation joining in traditional hymns. Music is an important part of our Anglican heritage, serving as a pathway to embrace the beauty of Holiness, where we attune ourselves to the Holy Spirit and encounter the magnificence of God.
All are welcome to receive Communion at All Souls.
Confession
(Reconciliation of a Penitent)
“Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 859).
God already knows our sins even before we speak them, but it is a helpful practice for our spiritual journey to spend time contemplating our sins and confessing them in the presence of others as it helps us to be clear-eyed about the realities of our behavior.
In the Episcopal Church, penance is not mandatory before receiving the Eucharist. Our approach to confession can be summarized as follows: all may, none must, some should. However, a corporate confession of sin is part of the service of Holy Eucharist before receiving Communion, with an absolution of sins following.
If you are interested in an individual, private confession with a priest, please contact Fr. Dave.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and laying on of hands by a bishop” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 860). A person can be confirmed whenever they are ready to accept the promises made on their behalf at their baptism. This usually happens during the teen years, but adults of any age may be confirmed.
Those who have been baptized and confirmed by a bishop in another Christian denomination (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Eastern Orthodox, for example) are recognized as members of the one holy catholic and apostolic church and may be received into fellowship of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Receptions take place during confirmation services.
If you are interested in being confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, please contact the parish office. All are welcome to receive Communion at All Souls.
Anointing (Unction) of the Sick
“Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 859).
This sacramental rite exists to restore a person to physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. We recognize there is a difference between being healed and being cured. By anointing the sick, we pray for healing and wholeness, which may or may not include a physical cure.
Please contact our parish office of you need our clergy to visit you at the hospital, in the nursing home, or at home during serious illness.
Ordination
In the Episcopal Church, some are called to a special ministry within the church to train, equip and empower Christians to be effective. There are three orders of ordained ministry – Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. The ordination process is open to anyone who senses a call from God to serve in these ministries. It involves several years of discernment, exploration, questioning and prayer.
If you feel you may be called to serve the church as a deacon or priest, please speak with Fr. Dave.
