Life Events

For many Christians, their church is a place where major life events are celebrated. Almost all Christian denominations have certain rituals or rites of passage that mark significant moments in their members’ lives. These most commonly include baptism, weddings, and funerals, but also include confirmation and reception, the reconciliation of penitents, and anointing. At Saint Mark’s Church, we celebrate these life moments with great joy, acknowledging that they are occasions where we come together as a community to honor the sacredness of each person's journey and to offer love and support in times of joy, transition, and grief.

Baptism

Welcoming any and all persons into new life in Christ is one of the great privileges of any Christian community. Baptism is a sacrament wherein we recognize through the outward sign of water the inward grace of God joining us with the ministry of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. As such, it is understood as full initiation into membership in the body of Christ and is best …

Weddings

Congratulations! Please contact the Rector at 315-536-3955.to discuss weddings at St. Mark's!

Funerals

In the Episcopal Church, Christian burial and funerals are sacred occasions where the community gathers to honor and remember the deceased. Rooted in Christian hope and the promise of resurrection, these services offer prayers, scripture readings, and reflections on the life of the departed. They provide comfort, support, and the assurance of God's eternal love, as loved ones bid…

Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation

Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation are concurrent rites where a mature commitment to Christ is welcomed by the Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation is for those wishing to affirm the commitments made for them at their baptism. Reception is for those previously confirmed in another Church who now find their ministry in the Episcopal Church. Reaff…

Reconciliation of Penitents - Confession

Reconciliation of Penitents (commonly called Confession or Penance) is a rite in which those who repent may confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution (BCP, p. 861). We do not have a standing schedule for Reconciliation, please email our rector, Columba, to schedule an appointment.

We understand that for ma…

Annointing

Anointing (or "unction") is the use of oil as an outward sign of God's active presence for healing, initiation, or ordination. Anointing with oil by smearing or pouring may accompany prayers for healing (unction) and the laying on of hands in the rite for Ministration to the Sick (BCP, p. 453). The signing with the cross of the newly baptized may be done by anointing with the oil…