Life Events & Sacraments
Share and celebrate the joyful events of your life and find comfort during the difficult ones. Our clergy and staff will meet with you and prayerfully guide you in these moments and seasons.
God's grace is abundant and everywhere, and our sacramental tradition is a direct means to that grace. “The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857). At All Saints' we walk the life of faith together: inspired, healed, empowered, and buoyed by God's sacramental grace.
Holy Baptism
Every baptism is a joyous occasion in the life of the Church! "Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).
Baptisms take place throughout the year, specifically on the Sundays in which we celebrate: The Baptism of our Lord (January date), Easter and Pentecost (spring dates), and All Saints' (November date). We add Sunday baptism dates as needed and by request. Anyone of any age can be baptized if they have not already received this sacrament. The Episcopal Church recognizes the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in baptism administered in other Christian denominations, and therefore a second or additional baptism is never performed because it is not needed. You are welcome to inquire about baptism and upcoming baptism dates for you or a loved one. Please contact The Rev. Genevieve Razim [email protected]
Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation
The affirmation of faith made at baptism and the prayers of the bishop over the confirmand is the grace-filled sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmations take place during the annual bishop's visitation, usually on or near All Saints' Sunday (November date). A series of preparation classes, one for youth and another for adults, precede Confirmation Sunday and are advertised in the weekly e-newsletter prior to the beginning of the fall program year. For those already confirmed in another Christian denomination, The Episcopal Church recognizes the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in your confirmation. In this case, one is Received into The Episcopal Church with a blessing said by the bishop during the Confirmation service. Additionally, Reaffirmation of Faith is said during the Confirmation service and is a meaningful way for some who have already been confirmed to mark a new season of commitment in their life of faith by receiving a blessing by the bishop. For more information about Confirmation, classes, Reception, and Reaffirmation, please contact The Rev. Genevieve Razim [email protected]
Marriage
A wedding at All Saints’ is a religious, sacramental event of festive proportions and specific intention, as well as an Episcopal worship service. The central focus of the liturgy is thanksgiving for the love that God has poured into our lives. At All Saints’, all weddings are in accordance with The Book of Common Prayer and the approved liturgies of The Episcopal Church. In our care for you, marriage in The Episcopal Church requires three 1-hour premarital counseling sessions.
All Saints’ is available for weddings when either of the couple is a member of All Saints’, is the child of an All Saints’ member, member of the Austin Episcopal Student Center, or is a member of The Episcopal Church (our denomination). Church building use fees are required of those who are not members or active members of All Saints' Episcopal Church; other costs, such as musician fees, are required by all. Please see our wedding customary and this application form for detailed information and fees. To begin your planning process and
inquire about reserving a date, schedule a consultation with our clergy by contacting Parish Administrator Mona Myers [email protected].
Reconciliation of a Penitent
While the Confession prayed during public worship services and the absolution declared forgives sins, some desire and may pastorally need specific and further confession and absolution within the confidential care of the clergy. Of Reconciliation of a Penitent, it is said: "All can, some should, none must."
"The ministry of reconciliation, which has been committed by Christ to his Church, is exercised through the care each Christian has for others, through the common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the priesthood of the church and its ministers declaring absolution. The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 446).
To learn more or to make an appointment for this sacrament, please contact The Rev. Genevieve Razim [email protected]
Funerals
The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with, the Rector: The Rev. Genevieve Razim [email protected]
"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.'
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 507)
All Saints' Funeral Planning Guide is available in the church office. Members are encouraged to consider their funeral plans and have their plans on file with the church office and a copy kept with their loved ones. For more information, contact Parish Administrator Mona Myers [email protected]
