Religious Programs

  Baptism
  Confirmation
  Christian Witness and Burial
  Religious Education
  Bible Study for Adults

Baptism - Call 908 464-4875 for more information.

Baptism is the sacrament of the Christian Church by which God adopts us as children of God and makes us members of Christ's body, the Church. While people of all ages are welcome to receive this sacrament, many people in the Episcopal Church present their infants or small children for baptism. In presenting a child for the sacrament, the parent(s) are promising to raise their child in the Christian faith and life and that by their example to help their child grow into the full stature of Christ.

By affirming their intention to raise their child to know and follow Christ, they are making a commitment to be actively involved in the faith community. Baptism is not a sacrament whereby God miraculously or mysteriously loves the child by protecting him/her from all evil forces. One does not need Baptism to receive God's love. That love is already given, and it is unconditional.

Baptism is administered within the context of our worship services on designated Sundays. Periodically throughout the year, the rector meets with the parents of children being baptized for instruction and as part of church ministries. We believe instruction is key to understanding the sacrament and we encourage parents to sign up for one of the rector's classes well before the date of the scheduled baptism.

If you would like to be baptized or have your child baptized, please download and submit the following form to the rector.

HONORARIA. In lieu of an honorarium for the clergy, the rector suggests parents make a contribution to St. Andrew's Discretionary Fund in thanksgiving for the birth of their child and his/her new life in Christ and in the Christian community.

Confirmation

What is Confirmation? Confirmation is making the mature, public affirmation of one’s faith and commitment to the responsibilities of Baptism and receiving the laying on of hands by the bishop. (See page 413 in the Book of Common Prayer for the service.)

 Confirmation Class is offered annually to both adults and teenagers who have previously been baptized. The next service of Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation is scheduled for Sunday morning, April 27, 2008 with the Rt. Rev. George Councell presiding.

Teens: The next scheduled Confirmation Class for teenagers will be led by the Rector and held on Sunday evenings beginning March 2nd through April 13, 2008.

Our middle school and high school youth are encouraged to enroll in our Sunday classes in the Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood program. This program segues into confirmation class, usually by age 14 or 15. Our desire is to delay confirmation until high school, thereby strengthening the education and community we are able to offer our youth.

Adults: An Adult Inquirer’s Class/Confirmation Class will be offered as well in the new year (dates to be announced), for adults wishing to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church from another Christian denomination, and for those who desire to simply learn more about the Episcopal faith traditions. One also may choose to reaffirm his or her baptismal vows at the confirmation service.

Confirmation and Inquirer’s classes focus on the history of the Church, the history of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Bible, the Prayer Book, the Catechism, the Creeds, the Sacraments, the Hymnal, the Church Seasons, and Church Symbols.

If you are interested in the rite of Confirmation, or if you are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal faith or you would like to provide your knowledge and experience with the program, please contact the St. Andrew’s Church office for more information: 908-464-4875.

Christian Witness and Burial - Call 908 464-4875 for more information.

When Death Occurs. Our clergy, staff, and congregation are here to assist you and your family during the trying times when death occurs. Our rector, the Rev. Peggy Hodgkins, is available twenty-four hours a day and requests that when death appears likely or immediately following the death of a church member she be called. She would like to gather the family at the bedside of their loved one for prayer as soon after death occurs as possible. She can assist the family in making the necessary service and burial arrangements, including going with the family to meet with the Funeral Director.

It is often helpful in preparing for death and in making the final arrangements that the living know the final wishes of the deceased. For that reason, we provide the following form — Christian Witness and Burial at the Time of Death — which we strongly encourage every adult communicant to complete. This form was prepared for this use by the Episcopal Church Foundation. After completing it, we encourage you to file a copy with the Church Office as well as keeping one with your important papers and perhaps with other members of the immediate family. The form may be updated at any time. Completing it will be a wonderful gift to your loved ones as they seek to carry out your last wishes in the midst of their grief.

St. Francis Memorial Garden. St. Andrew's was one of the first congregations in the United States to open a Memorial Garden on its grounds for the burial of cremated remains. People of all faiths are welcome to have their loved ones interred in the garden.

A suggested donation/fee sheet is available from the parish office: tel. 908-464-4875 or email info@standrewschurch.org. Fees include the cost of providing a wall-mounted plaque and cover the preparation of the memorial garden site for graveside services

Religious Education - Call 908 464-4875 for more information.

Our desire at St. Andrew's is to challenge all age groups to see their lives as an ongoing educational opportunity. Our desire is to encourage one and all alike to be inquisitive about their relationship with God and to explore what God has in store for them. Education is the doorway to realizing one's potential as a disciple and what God is calling us to be/do both individually and collectively as a Christian community.

Bible Study for Adults - Call 908 464-4875 for more information.

St. Andrew's offers several opportunities for adults to grow in faith. They include:

• Our Partners-in-Ministry program encourages lay leaders to create a study group on a topic of their choosing. Currently we have a small group Bible Study that meets biweekly in the Parish Library to study the lectionary.

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