January 18, 2023

Life events

  • Events (language forth coming, for now say something about contacting the office for more information)
  • Baptisms
  • Baptisms at the Church of Saint Asaph
  • 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.
  • — The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
  • Baptism is a Sacrament of the Church, which means that it is a ritual act, using a specific, outward and visible sign to show us the inward, invisible gift of God’s love. This gift of God’s love is known as grace, and it strengthens us to make our way through our lives in ways that make love known around us. While the word “love” is often connected with romance, responsibility, fascination and a lot of other things, “grace” is God’s outpouring of love into each person, because “God is love.”
  • We believe that God calls all people, through grace, to love them and to love one another. In Baptism, our place in God’s love is celebrated, honoring the truth that we are a member of the Body of Christ. 
  • When we have been baptized, we recognize that we have entered into a covenant with God: a special relationship in which God makes promises to us (to love us and to strengthen us to become more fully who God has made us to be) and we make promises to God (to be faithful by doing our best to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves).
  • Anyone wishing to be baptized or to have their children baptized should contact the Parish Office.
  • Infant Baptism
  • Within the Episcopal tradition we welcome infants (and children of any age) to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. We don’t hesitate to baptize infants and children too young to make the vows for themselves, because we recognize that the Sacrament is first and foremost a gift from God. A child is no less able to receive that gift than an adult. In these cases, parents and godparents make the vows on behalf of the child. It’s expected that when a child reaches an appropriate age, they will make a public affirmation of those vows in the service of Confirmation.
  • Adult Baptism
  • Baptism is always available to adults who have not previously been baptized and whose growing faith has led them to a desire to share in the life of the Body of Christ. The church always rejoices when individuals desire to claim and celebrate their place in the Body of Christ.
  • Christians believe that God brings all new life, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism is the beginning of our active participation in that new life. All mainstream Christian denominations recognize the validity of baptism with water, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And if one has been baptized it is never necessary to be baptized again.
  • When children or adults are baptized, this makes them Christians, not a particular brand or kind of Christian: an Episcopalian or Roman Catholic or Presbyterian, etc. While some people may decide to change denominations, this is done by Confirmation or Reception into the church. Re-baptism is never required or appropriate.
  • Confirmation
  • “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”
  • — Book of Common Prayer 1979, p. 412
  • In confirmation, young people or adults reaffirm the vows made at their Baptism and they receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop, confirming God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and recognizing a mature commitment to the faith of the Church. This is an outward sign of God’s continued outpouring of grace in the life of the individual. Those who come to Saint Asaph’s from other Christian denominations, and who have already been baptized and confirmed, may wish to be received into The Episcopal Church and welcomed by the Bishop.
  • Each year the clergy organize a series of discussions to prepare candidates for confirmation or reception into the Church. The discussion covers topics ranging from how we read the Bible, to church history, to talking about how faith is a part of our lives. Classes are designed for all to explore and deepen their understandings of God, the world and humanity. To find out more or if you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office.
  • Funerals
  • Funerals
  • It is true, as the Prayer Book says, that “the liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy.  It finds its meaning in the resurrection.”  The Prayer Book also reminds us that “the very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death.”  The liturgy itself includes these words: “All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”
  • Other instruction from the Prayer Book:
  • 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 Minister of the Congregation.
    • Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be present.
      • The casket/coffin is to be closed before the service, and it remains closed thereafter. It is appropriate that it be covered with a pall or other suitable covering.
      • A priest normally presides at the service.
  • At St. Asaph’s the clergy are prepared to engage in close consultation for the planning of funerals or memorial services. Please do not hesitate to contact the clergy at the news of the death of a loved one.
  • Funeral services are available for both members and non-members of the parish. Please contact the Parish office for more information.
  • Churchyard Burial
  • Our Churchyard is south of the church building and may be accessed through the Lychgate. Members of St. Asaph’s may be buried here, and others at the discretion of the Rector. The Garth, or enclosed garden, is an area specifically for cremains. The plan of the Churchyard provides an effect of stillness and peace, with a feeling of openness and space.
  • The church provides perpetual care for the grave sites. Cut flowers and potted plants are permitted for a limited time on certain occasions. 
  • Gravesites
  • Parishioners may purchase an individual or a family of gravesites by inquiring with the parish office.
  • Deed
  • A Certificate of Right of Sepulcher (a deed) is issued as proof of ownership which is in perpetuity. If not used, a certificate may be sold back to the Church of Saint Asaph’s for the purchase price.
  • Head Stones
  • Headstones must conform to the following guidelines: height: 3 1/2 feet from the surface of the ground, width: 20 inches. All designs for gravestones must be approved by the Churchyard Committee.
  • In the Garth no stones or markers are allowed. A bronze nameplate may be placed on the tablet affixed to the east wall of the Garth.
  • Headstones may be purchased from any company. One that has provided excellent service for many years is H.C. Wood Monument Co., Lansdowne, PA (610-622-0550).
  • Funeral Homes
  • Any undertaker may be engaged for services at St. Asaph’s. Funeral homes will assist with all planning, cemetery arrangements, required forms, obituaries, the choice of burial cases, miscellaneous church fees and other names.
  • Memorials
  • The Memorial fund is a popular way for parishioners and friends to give in memory of loved ones. The fund supports a variety of needs including but not limited to upkeep of the building and the grounds, programming for children and family, and the music and art ministries.
  • Those interested in donating to the Memorial Fund may contact the Parish Office.
  • Weddings
  • Weddings at the Church of Saint Asaph
  • Marriage in the Church is a sacramental rite – that is, the ceremony is an outward sign of the grace God pours out on two persons, as they join their lives to one another. Marriage is open to all couples regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We rejoice to celebrate this sacramental action when two people seek to join their lives together in love, seeking God’s blessing.
  • Who may be married at St. Asaph’s?
  • Members of the Parish in good standing may, of course, be married at St. Asaph’s and should contact the clergy to make plans for a wedding.
  • Couples who are not members of the Parish are also welcome to be married in the church, by permission of the Rector. The Episcopal Church requires that at least one of the parties be baptized. To determine if marriage at St. Asaph’s is appropriate, couples who are not members of the Parish should contact the clergy to arrange for an introductory meeting. The point of this meeting is so that the priest may learn something about the couple’s background and expectations and the couple may learn about the Parish’s expectations. If it seems agreeable to both the couple and the priest, preparations and planning for the wedding will proceed.
  • What kind of preparation is required?
  • The clergy are required to ensure that “both parties have been instructed as to the nature, meaning and purpose of Holy Matrimony.” At St. Asaph’s we generally try to accomplish this preparation in discussions that take place between the couple being married and the priest performing the ceremony. Normally, three hours of preparation is required (i.e. three separate one-hour sessions). These discussions would normally cover topics such as the church’s theology of marriage, sharing of family and personal history, and specific arrangements for the wedding ceremony. The discussions are meant also to provide the priest an opportunity to get to know a couple (and vice versa) and to develop a common understanding of the life-long covenant they are making. This requires a measure of openness and self-disclosure on the part of the couple, as well as fairness and discretion on the part of the priest.
  • The clergy retains the right to decline to perform any marriage as a matter of personal judgment and discretion.
  • May a divorced person be married at St. Asaph’s?
  • The policies of the Episcopal Church allow for the marriage of a divorced person with the consent of the diocesan bishop. As a part of the preparation for marriage the priest will inquire about previous marriages and the circumstances that resulted in divorce. If the priest is satisfied that the issues that resulted in the failure of a previous marriage do not constitute an impediment to another marriage, they will request permission from the diocesan bishop to perform the marriage, which must be done 60 days prior to the wedding date. This will include the need for documentation certifying the divorce.
  • May a same-gender couple be married at St. Asaph’s?
  • Yes! St. Asaph’s seeks to celebrate the love of all people. Any couple seeking marriage and God’s blessing are welcome and should follow all of the same steps as are listed on this page.
  • How do we plan the wedding ceremony?
  • Wedding ceremonies at St. Asaph’s conform to the regular pattern of the church’s worship as laid out in the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and its supplements. The somewhat traditional structure of the marriage rite laid out there allows for some significant variation, which must all be discussed with the priest performing the ceremony. The priest will work with the couple to help select readings and make other choices about the service.
  • May we have Holy Communion as part of the wedding ceremony?
  • There are generally two kinds of wedding ceremonies:
  • The Marriage Office is a short service (about 25 minutes, with music) that includes a procession, readings, prayers, a homily, the exchange of vows and rings, and a blessing of the marriage.
    • The Nuptial Eucharist includes everything in the Wedding Office and then continues with a celebration of Holy Communion, offered in thanksgiving for the couple’s marriage.
  • At St. Asaph’s we are happy to perform either kind of wedding ceremony. Since the Eucharist is the principal act of Christian worship, offered every Sunday here, and one of the chief Sacraments of God’s love and grace for humanity, and since it is always an offering of praise and thanksgiving from God’s people, it is almost always appropriate to include a celebration of Holy Communion with the Marriage rite, but it is not required. The priest will discuss this matter with the couple during the course of preparation.
  • How do we make arrangements for Music at our wedding?
  • The Director of Music will serve as the principal musician for all weddings. Any exceptions must be cleared in advance. Our Director of Music will assist you in choosing appropriate music for your wedding. Vocal and/or instrumental soloist may sing or play under the direction of the Director of Music. Please note that fees may be higher if there are soloist because of the additional rehearsal time required. Arrangements for music should be made directly with the Director of Music, whose telephone number is available from the Parish Office.
  • Other Details:
  • Flowers & Decorations
  • Flowers and other adornments are placed in the church as offerings to God in thanksgiving for the marriage of two people. Generally speaking elaborate displays of flowers are unnecessary in such a beautiful church and are discouraged. Flowers may either be taken following the wedding, or you may ask that they remain on the altar for Sunday morning. Your florist must remove the arrangements immediately following the ceremony.  Neither the sexton nor the volunteers from the altar guild are available to do that. Please inform the Parish Office of your intentions. We have well-established relationships with several area florists whose use we recommend. Before contracting with a florist other than those we recommend please be in contact with the Parish Office.
  • Rehearsal
  • A wedding rehearsal, lasting about one hour, conducted by the officiating priest is normally held on the evening before the wedding.
  • Seating
  • The seating capacity of the church is about 150.
  • Photography
  • In order to ensure the dignity of the ceremony we ask photographers and videographers to respect some limits, remaining discreet and unobtrusive. This generally means that they should remain in the side aisles or at the back of the church. We request the photographers not take flash photos during the ceremony. If you desire time in the church before or after the ceremony for picture-taking, please be sure to arrange this time in advance with the Parish Office.
  • Financial Matters
  • Please contact the Parish Office for the fees for weddings. Separate checks should be made payable to the church and musicians, and delivered to the Parish Office prior to the service.
  • Contact
  • To inquire about being married at St. Asaph’s please contact the Parish Office.