Special Services

Baptism

Baptism is the rite of initiation into the Christian faith. It is the point at which the church recognizes you as a Christian. In the ceremony of baptism, a covenant (agreement) is made with God and promises are made about how one will live their life as a Christian within the church.

Though many people are baptized as infants, baptism can take place at any point in a person’s life. When babies and young children are baptized, parents and sponsors (godparents) make promises on their behalf. When older children, teens, and adults are baptized, they make promises for themselves.

Since baptism is the ceremony that marks becoming a Christian, and being a Christian is not done in isolation, the ceremony is most appropriately done with the church family who will support one’s life in Christ. Baptism ceremonies are held approximately four times a year at St. Thomas, as part of our 10 am Sunday service. Please click here to find out more about St. Thomas the Apostle parish.

If you are interested in exploring this important step in your faith journey or that of your child, please speak with the clergy

Confirmation, Reception into the Anglican Church, and Reaffirmation

Baptism makes one fully Christian, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails. However, there are times in a person’s life when they may wish to affirm their faith in the midst of the worshipping community. All three of these ceremonies are ones which must be officiated by a bishop, and therefore usually take place during a bishop’s visit to the parish. There may also be opportunities to join with members of another parish where this ceremony is taking place. Please speak to the clergy if you are sensing a desire to make one of these faith affirmations.

Confirmation is a ceremony for teens or adults who were baptized as infants or young children, who now wish to make the baptismal promises for themselves. They are blessed and strengthened in this by the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by the Bishop.

Reception into the Anglican Church is a ceremony for those who have been baptized and have been worshiping in another Christian denomination and now wish to be identified as a member of the Anglican Church. It is not necessary to have this ceremony in order to be part of an Anglican worshipping community, but some individuals desire to formally and publicly state their commitment to worship as an Anglican.

Weddings

A marriage ceremony is the public witnessing of the commitment between two people in front of their family, friends, and Christian community. The couple vows to give themselves to each other and to care for each other in good times and in bad. They are linked to each other’s families, and they begin a new life together in the Christian community.

In order to provide for adequate preparation and to comply with the rules of the Anglican Church of Canada, at least three months notice is needed, but more is preferable. Most couples take at least a year to plan their wedding.

Please speak to the clergy about planning your wedding at St. Thomas.

Funerals

A Christian funeral recognizes the legitimate feelings of grief that surround death and proclaims a hope in the promise of the Resurrection that death does not have the final word. A funeral should celebrate the life and Christian witness of the person who has died and comfort those who mourn.

Please contact the church office to make arrangements for a funeral service. You will then meet with the clergy person officiating at the service to discuss choices for scripture readings, music, and type of service. Reception space is available in the Trinity Room or in the Parish Hall, depending on number of guests anticipated.

Often funerals are planned after a person has died. However, if the death of a loved one is anticipated, pre-planning of the service while the person is still alive and can indicate their wishes is ideal. We recognize these types of conversations can be emotionally charged and difficult but will bring peace of mind when the time comes. Please speak to a clergy person for assistance if you require it. You may also find the resources of Compassionate Ottawa useful when planning to have end-of-life discussions.

Christmas

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. Bible stories about Jesus’ birth occur in the gospel according to Matthew and to Luke. In the Church, Christmas is a season, not a day.

Please see our Services and Events page to find out more about our Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Epiphany services.

Holy Week

Holy Week is the last week of Lent leading up to Easter. It begins with Palm and Passion Sunday and continues on to the Great Vigil of Easter. There are services on most days of that week, the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter) being the most important.

Please see our Services and Events page to find out more about our Holy Week services.

Easter

Easter season is the most significant season for Christians. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is at the heart of the Christian faith. We begin Easter season with the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening, and continue the season with the Sunday morning services until Pentecost.

Please see our Services and Events page to find out more about our services in Easter season.

Pentecost

Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and is a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit, which empowered the followers of Jesus to go out and share the Good News. Symbols of the Holy Spirit include wind and fire.

Please see our Services and Events page to find out more about our Pentecost services.

Black History Month

In February we mark Black History Month with a series of special worship services and other events to highlight the contributions of Black people in our congregation, in our church, in our country, and in the world. Past events have included discussion panels, concerts, and drumming workshops. Our church newsletter and the services and events page of this website will contain information about what we are doing in the current year.

National Indigenous Peoples Month

National Indigenous Peoples History Month is celebrated in the month of June. This is reflected in the prayers and music during worship, as well as other events that happen on the Sundays during the month. We hold a special service on the Sunday closest to June 21 (National Indigenous Peoples Day) to mark the Anglican celebration of National Indigenous Day of Prayer. Our church newsletter and the services and events page of this website will contain information about what we are doing in the current year.

Season of Creation

This ecumenical, global celebration takes place from September 1 (Feast of the Creator) to October 4 (St. Francis of Assisi Day). In our parish we stretch it out to Canadian Thanksgiving, as that seems a fitting culmination of a month in which we praise the Creator of the universe and reflect on how the choices we make and our actions impact the world around us.

The Season of Creation also gives us another opportunity to reflect on Indigenous wisdom and ways of knowing, particularly helping us recognize ourselves as humans being just one interdependent part of all of Creation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as ‘Orange Shirt Day’) falls during this time and we mark this solemn occasion on the Sunday closest to September 30.