The Seven Sacraments of The Christian Community

The Consecration of the Human Being 

The Consecration of the Human Being is at the center of our sacramental life. It is a renewal of the archetypal form of early Christian worship, the Mass (or Eucharist).

Baptism 

Baptism receives the child into the religious community, represented particularly by the godparents. It brings Christ’s power of transformation into the soul and body of the incarnating child.

Confirmation 

Confirmation takes place at the age of 14, as a rite of passage bringing Christ’s light and strength to young human beings as they are blessed by wonders and burdens of adolescence and begin to seek their own path into life.

Sacrament of Consultation (renewed Confession) - by request and confidential 

Sacramental consultation implies the desire to seek a more conscious connection to Christ's presence working in one's life. It brings the blessing of knowing “He walks with me,” and it prepares us for communion. What is new about this sacrament is that we seek it not to be absolved of our sins, but for our journey of life to be witnessed in its deepest striving and searching, and to bless the transformation that can take place through the crosses we bear. 

The Last Anointing

 The Last Annointing gives an individual spiritual strength as they approach the threshold of death, blessing their passage and anointing them for the approach to the spiritual world. 

Sacrament of Ordination 

The sacraments are performed by a priest through the power conferred by the Sacrament of Ordination. From its beginning, the Christian Community has ordained both men and women.

Marriage 

Marriage blesses the resolve of a man and woman to share community of life, supported by two chosen witnesses who represent the community in its desire to accompany, support, and bless what two souls desire.

We support same-sex couples wishing to mark their union within a religious context by offering a ritual service created in consultation with a priest.

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Sunday Service for Children

 Our children's service begins with a gathering of families for singing and a story.  Following the story, school aged children (grades 1-8) are invited to stand before the altar as a group and experience the service, which includes praying and singing together in a mood of deep reverence. This ritual is a powerful gift to growing children as they orient their hearts toward Christ through the cycle of the year in a manner that supports their specific needs and consciousness. As children approach 14 years of age, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is integrated into their church experience. Parents with younger children are welcome to join and sit in the chapel during the service, lasting about 10-15 minutes.

Close of Day (Vespers service)

We have an intimate and sacred evening prayer ritual. It is a service we use for a variety of occasions that call us to connect to the altar in community prayer.

Funeral Ritual

Our funeral ritual is ideally celebrated grave-side or at a crematorium, but is often held in the chapel as circumstances dictate. The deceased's body must be present for this two-part ritual, which begins with an intimate 'Farewell Blessing' and concludes with the closing of the casket. It is a deeply comforting and supportive ritual with living words that accompany the departed soul across the threshold of death into their life in the realms of spirit.