life
events
Getting married or having a blessing of a Civil Marriage.....
We rejoice with you that you are ready to enter into a faithful, committed, monogamous relationship in the presence of a gathered community of friends and family. And we celebrate this occasion for God to bless your commitment.
All couples of any gender combination are welcome to get married in the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire. Because we consider marriage to be a sacrament, at least one of the persons needs to be a practicing Episcopalian, preferably at All Saints'.
In the Episcopal Church, couples are required to meet with the priest for a series of premarital counseling sessions prior to the date of of the wedding. These sessions allow the priest and couple time to get to know each other better, and to talk about the hopes, dreams, and expectations of marriage. This time is also to review the service in order to understand more deeply the the words and prayers from the Book of Common prayer that will be offered on this most important day. Couples should be in touch with the parish about a marriage at least four months before the desired date.
Call our Rector at 603-444-3414, or through our contact page by clicking here, to make an appointment to discuss dates and particulars. Our Parish Hall is also available for receptions and includes a professional kitchen ready for caterers.
Be Baptized, Confirmed or Received
Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception are the rites by which persons are received into membership in the Church Universal and the Episcopal Church. We are delighted when someone is ready to take such a step on his or her faith journey.
Baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as God’s children and makes us members of Christ’s body, the Church, and inheritors of the Kingdom of God. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 858) Baptism is open to all ages and is preceded by a series of meetings to prepare the candidate or parents and godparents. Baptisms are done on Sunday mornings as part of one of the Sunday services when the congregation is present. There are specific Sundays during the church year that are especially compatible with the Rite of Baptism: January- Celebration of the Baptism of Jesus, Epiphany Sunday, Easter Vigil/Easter Day, Pentecost and All Saints Sunday (Book of Common Prayer, p. 312). Baptisms are not done during Lent. The Episcopal Church accepts baptisms done in other denominations who use the outward and visible sign of water in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
"Private" baptisms are not the custom of the church since Baptism is not only a confession of faith and promises about that faith, but it is equally a rite of incorporation into the faith community where the candidate/parents actively worship. Exceptions can be made, of course, when a person is close to death and desires to be baptized.
Persons interested in being baptized or having an infant or child baptized should contact the church office by email or by telephone (603.444.3414) to make an appointment to speak with our Rector about the process.
Confirmation and Reception
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit though prayer and laying on of hands by a bishop. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860) This is done for any individual who was baptized as a child and is now prepared to make an adult commitment to Jesus Christ.
Reception into the Episcopal Church is done in the same service as Confirmation and is also done with the laying on of hands by a bishop. Those who are coming from another denomination with bishops in the apostolic succession and want to be formally received into the Episcopal Church as active members are welcome to make an appointment with the Rector. Newcomer classes are usually offered as preparation for this step in a person’s faith formation.
Reaffirmation by a church member is offered to those who have experienced a renewal or strengthening of their faith that has made a significant difference in how they live out their Christian faith. Reaffirmation is also offered in the same service as Confirmation and Reception not the Episcopal Church with the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Persons interested in being confirmed, received or reaffirmed should contact the church office through the contact form by clicking here, or by telephone (603.444.3414) to make an appointment to speak with our Rector about the process.
Funerals, Celebration of Life, & Memorial Services
A funeral or memorial service at the church gives the gathered community an opportunity to proclaim the good news of resurrection, to give thanks for and to celebrate the life of the one who has died, and to gather around and console those who mourn.
Whether you are looking ahead and planning your own service or you have recently lost a loved one and planning his or her service, we are here to provide both spiritual support and practical guidance for you. Start by contacting the church office by email or by telephone (603.444.3414) to make an appointment to receive pastoral support and speak with our Rector about planning the service.