Life Events
How do we mark life’s passages? As Christians, usually with ritual and tradition and by keeping a sense of continuity with the trinitarian scriptural story of Creation, Fall, Redeeming Covenant, and New Creation. It's in the Trinitarian context of Father, Son and Holy Spirit - creating, redeeming and sanctifying - that we baptize and bless, celebrate matrimony, and mourn and bury our dead.
So, in this section of our website we’ve gathered resources for baptisms, weddings, and burial services. We will be expanding the resources for these life events as existing materials are adapted for use on the website.
Take a moment to review these, and if you have any questions, please contact the Church Office.
baptisms
Welcome to baptism!
If you are inquiring about the sacrament of baptism for yourself or a child or grandchild, please be in touch with the clergy.
Baptism signifies Christ’s union with the believer and the believer’s union with Christ, by faith. It also is “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298.)
Baptism is God’s grace enacted; God’s embrace experienced, and God’s Spirit sealed. It is always a joyful occasion and a sign of life and new birth!
WEDDINGS
The decision to enter Christian marriage is an important one. As with all the gifts of God, we believe that Christian marriage has in it all the possibilities for the fullness of life that our Lord promised. By the same token, because it is such a gift, it also carries with it the possibilities for hurt and pain.
The church has always felt a calling to be deeply involved in the lives of those who are preparing for Christian marriage. These guidelines are designed to help couples seeking to be married in the church better prepare for a lifelong union.
Please read the following additional information carefully. The clergy at Saint Gabriel are eager to help you, so that your wedding can be a powerful witness to God’s love and blessing, not only for you, but for those who attend your wedding.
Funerals
Preparation of Wills
The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. ~ BCP 44
Memorial Service Planning Form
Burial Office Readings
Memorial Service Music
Columbarium Contract
Letter From Fr. Chris