St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Ayer, Massachusetts

Faith, Community, and Love

Other Services

Baptism

Episcopalians believe that Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as His children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. The Episcopal Church recognizes and offers both infant and adult Baptism.

At St. Andrew's, Baptism is always offered at the Easter Vigil (Spring), on the Day of Pentecost (late Spring), on the Sunday after All Saints Day (Fall), and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (Winter).

More information about Baptism at St. Andrew's coming soon.

Confirmation

Confirmation is the rite in which a baptized person expresses a mature commitment to Christ, and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.

St. Andrew's offers Confirmation/Inquirer's Classes for those baptized at an early age who are ready to make a public affirmation of their faith, for those who are considering joining the Episcopal Church, for those who are returning to the Epsicopal Church, and for those who would like to deepen their faith and learn more about their Episcopal heritage.

In recent years within the Diocese of Massachusetts, the Service of Confirmation takes place on a Deanery basis (a deanery is a geographical subdivision of a diocese), generally in the late spring. Confirmation classes at St. Andrew's begin in late winter or early spring. Individual instruction and spiritual guidance are also available to those who wish them, at any time.

Weddings and Celebrations

In the Episcopal Church, Holy Matrimony is understood to be a physical and spiritual union of a man and a woman, entered into within the community of faith, by mutual consent of heart, mind, and will, and with the intent that it be lifelong.

We welcome those who wish to be married at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. We do require two month's notice prior to a wedding. At least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian and premarital counseling is required by the Canons of the Episcopal Church. In the case of a divorced person who wishes to remarry, permission from the Bishop is required. Under no circumstances should any announcement of a wedding at St. Andrew's be made until the couple has had an interview with the priest and the priest consents to officiate.

Click here to read the Lessons appointed for use at the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage in the Episcopal Church.

Funerals and Memorial Services

Funerals held at St. Andrew's are for members and former members of the parish, and their families, in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer burial ceremonies. Our clergy and staff are available for consultation and pastoral care in times of need.

Click here to read the Lessons appointed for use at the Burial of the Dead in the Episcopal Church.