SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the church. The bond that God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. It is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. Infants, youth, and adults may be baptized. Baptism into the church involves a commitment by all members of the congregation to educate and nurture the newly baptized in faith. The aim of that process is two-fold: to celebrate and support the person in the life of the church at every stage of his or her development and in the case of children, to nurture the child into mature adult participation in the worship, service, and witness that mark the life of the Eucharistic community. A Baptism Worksheet may be found here.
CONFIRMATION
All people are invited to explore more deeply the Christian faith and the Episcopal Church in preparation for receiving the sacrament of confirmation. Confirmation is the liturgy where an individual makes an adult affirmation of faith, accepting the baptismal vows made on his or her behalf as an infant or child, and receiving a prayer from the bishop for the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance. Prior to being confirmed in the Episcopal Church, the individual receives instruction in the Way of Christ and in the basic doctrines of Christianity. Young people interested in confirmation are encouraged to contact Carrie Thomas, our Minister for Youth and Young Adults. Adults interested in confirmation may contact the Rector.
HEALING AND RECONCILIATION
The Rite of Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing and forgiveness. It is a continuation of the ministry of forgiveness that Jesus inaugurated in his preaching, teaching and healing. Like all sacraments, it finds its roots in the Gospels and relates directly to the ministry that Jesus enjoined upon the Apostles to bring about reconciliation and peace between all people and God. If you are in need of healing and reconciliation, we encourage you to contact the Church Office to make an appointment with a priest.
MATRIMONY
The Episcopal Church honors the union of two persons in marriage with a ceremony that is both solemn and joyous. As a couple exchanges vows, they pledge to love each other in the same way that Christ loves the Church, and to live in faithfulness, as God is faithful to God’s people. The celebration of Christian Marriage is an occasion of great joy! The Clergy and Staff of St. John’s are pleased to celebrate with you on your wedding day. A Wedding Worksheet may be found here.
BURIAL
One of the most significant and moving rites of the church is the Rite of Burial. The occasion of a funeral or memorial service provides an opportunity for friends and family to gather and give thanks for a life. It is the holy privilege of St. John’s Parish, Staff and Clergy to be present with families as they grieve the loss of loved ones. Detailed information about funerals and memorial services at St. John’s may be found in our Burial Booklet. Our parish is also the steward of a beautiful church cemetery found on White Bear Avenue. This is a consecrated space, set apart for the interment of the ashes of members of the parish and their families. Burial plots and niches in one of our Columbariums are available for purchase by contacting the Finance Coordinator at finance@stjohnwilderness.org