Celebrating life

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CHRISTIAN INITIATION

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Baptism

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Baptism is the foundation sacrament of all Christians, in other words, in baptism you become a Christian and begin a life long journey. In Baptism we are made one with Jesus in his passion, death and resurrection. By water and word a person is 'grafted' to Christ and gifted with the Holy Spirit. The person also is made one with Christ in his body, the Church. Baptism is an outward sign of an inner gift of God’s grace. Baptism is not repeated. Once you are baptised you are 'marked' forever as a disciple of Jesus.

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Infants and Children are baptised in the Anglican Church. We believe that the baptism of infants and children is a response to God’s all-embracing love. Parents and godparents who have responded to that love bring children for baptism and make the promises on behalf of the child.

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Adult Baptism: adults are baptised too! It is becoming more common now for adults, who have never previously been baptised, to seek baptism. Adults are usually fully initiated as Christians, that is they are baptised, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist in one liturgical event usually conducted by the Bishop. Adults too tend to have a longer preparation period, sometimes up to a year, before they are baptised. In this preparation period the adult person is ordinarily admitted as a Catechumen, i.e, one who is being taught. 

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When you are ready to arrange your baptism, or the baptism of your child, please come to one of our services and speak with our clergy.

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Confirmation/Reaffirmation/Reception

 

Children (from 10 to 17): Confirmation is one important way by which Christians affirm their faith and the promises made at their baptism. It enables those baptised as a child, when promises were made for them by their parents and godparents, to confirm their faith for themselves.

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Adults coming back to the faith: For adults who are baptised (as an infant or child or whenever) and want to renew their connection with the Christian faith and the Church, then they too can participate in some preparation to re-affirm their baptism by means of the Sacrament of Confirmation or a Service Reaffirmation (for those previously baptised and confirmed).

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Becoming Anglican: Some Christians too decide that they want to join the Anglican Church after having being a member of another Christian denomination, and likewise, they too can participate in some preparation to be received into the Anglican Church by means of a Service of Reception into the Anglican Church. 

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MARRIAGE

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We enjoy weddings at Christ Church, Beechworth, and St Jude's, Eldorado. There is nothing more wonderful then to help a couple prepare for their marriage, and then to enjoy the wedding day itself. We therefore take marriage seriously especially given that within a church context the wedding vows are exchanged before God, our families, and our friends.  

We have beautiful and historic buildings in which couples can marry, but they are not just buildings - a hall or wedding venue - our church buildings are set apart from secular use and consecrated for the sole purpose of worship.  

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There are a few things to consider when you approach us to talk about your wedding: 

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Firstly, at least one of the person's to be married must be a baptised Christian. If neither are baptised, and if one or both partners genuinely want to become Christians, then we can arrange preparation for baptism. 

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Secondly, every marriage celebrated with us is within the context of a worship service (Service of Holy Matrimony) authorised by the Anglican Church of Australia. We don't do made up ceremonies or writing up our own wedding vows. 

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Thirdly, we support the equality of each partner in a marriage, i.e., we do not teach that a man must have headship over a women.

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Fourthly, you will be required to undertake a marriage preparation course (with an outside provider)​

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Fifthly, unfortunately we are not permitted by church law to marry persons of the same gender, however, we are permitted to bless the persons who have contracted a civil marriage within a proscribed liturgy (including those of same gender marriages). Please contact the Vicar for further clarity. 

 

Our clergy would love to talk with you about having your wedding at one of our churches, and they will also help you prepare for this commitment and the wedding liturgy itself.

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They will discuss with both of you the form of the service, your responsibilities to each other, legal requirements, music and other

arrangements.

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The costs for being married are as follows - (*optional)

• Marriage preparation with clergy and Service: $550

• Marriage Preparation Course: $300

• Church Bells: $200*

• Church Organist/Pianist: $200*

but please let the clergy know if your are under any financial duress to negotiate something that will work. 

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Funerals

 

At Christ Church and St Jude's we regularly celebrate the lives of those who have died, in the hope that funerals and memorial services may help the beginning of healing the wounds of grief. We do so in the belief that God is the source and giver of life.

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Funerals and memorial services proclaim hope in the face of death: Jesus’ resurrection is the promise of our own. Please contact our clergy to talk about arranging a funeral in our churches.

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Email

vicar3747(at)gmail.com
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