|
procedures and policies
Interested in having a
Baptism, Wedding, or a Funeral at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke?
Wondering about renting space? Looking for by-laws, annual reports,
cathedral policies and other administrative items? See items or links
below.
How To Join The Community
Membership in the Cathedral congregation
is measured in different ways. In the Episcopal Church, your name is
recorded in the Parish Register when you are baptized or confirmed.
If you move, or change your parish affiliation, it is important that
you transfer your membership to your new parish. You may write your
former parish clergy, requesting a Letter of Transfer. This process
allows us to keep accurate records which are required by the Episcopal
Church. Active membership is better measured by regular attendance at
worship and other activities of the congregation. The clergy may be
aware of your participation, but your clear communication about
joining the congregation is important. Twice a year there are
newcomers classes and dinners followed by a Service of Commitment at a
10:00 am Eucharist, when new members are officially welcomed and
acknowledged in prayer. Pledged financial support for the Cathedral
is another way of expressing your commitment.
Baptism
"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water
and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church." (BCP p. 298)
Baptism is an occasion for the whole parish community and is
appropriately administered within the Eucharist at the chief Sunday
service. The tradition of having a small private baptism does not
reinforce the interest and support of the congregation into which the
newly baptized is being admitted. Opportunities for baptism occur
five times a year at times directed by the Prayer Book: At the
Bishop’s visitation, Pentecost, St. Luke's Day, the First Sunday after
Epiphany and Easter. Baptism may also occur on other Sundays as well, if the need
arises. Each candidate for baptism is to be sponsored by one or more
baptized persons. Sponsors for infants should be active Christians
who will be conscientious in their responsibility to "see that the
child is brought up in the Christian faith and life." (BCP p. 302)
Adult candidates for baptism and sponsors of infants are expected to
receive instruction. To submit a baptismal
application click here.
Christian Education for Children, Youth
and Adults
The Sunday School program and two adult
education classes meet at 9am every Sunday during the school year,
except for the first Sunday of each month when the Family Service will
be celebrated. The Family Service held in the Emmanuel Chapel at 9am
offers a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to closely
participate in the Eucharist and learn more about its history and
meaning. There is no church school on this day.
Nursery care for children 3 years and
younger is available from 8:45am to 11:45am
Preschool & Kindergarten are using Godly
Play. Grades one through five will follow a new curriculum titled
“All Things New”.
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade will
follow the “Rite 13”curriculum, which focuses on youth ages 11 to 13
and functions as the Junior High Youth Group. Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh
and Twelfth Grade will study a variety of topics while focusing on
community service. These grades will function as the Senior Youth
Group.
Adult Education: Two ongoing
opportunities!
In the Parish Hall: A year long study of
the Bible and Theology led by the dean. In the Study: Guest Lectures
/ Discussion Series / Newcomers and Inquirers classes.
The Church School will end at 9:50am and
the children will be brought up to join their families in the parish
hall.
Comments and questions about the Church
School or Nursery should be directed to the Christian Education
Director, April Erbe.
Healing Service
At each Sunday 10 a.m. Service, people are
invited to all Saints Chapel after receiving communion, when some need
of their own or someone else prompts them to seek help beyond
themselves. Examples of need could be an illness, a threatening
situation, a perplexing problem, or a troubled relationship. There
they meet two members of the Healing Team, and are taken through a
brief liturgy called “Laying on of Hands with Prayers of Healing”.
Results are often powerful when people know that they are no longer
carrying the burden alone, the results are often very powerful.
Marriage
Clear guidelines for marriage in the
church are important, for it is a time when many folks who have no
active association with a parish seek the service of the church. No
membership requirement is necessary to be married at the Cathedral,
but a couple will be discouraged from the casual use of the church for
a wedding. Regular church attendance and active participation in and
support of parish life for a period leading up to the marriage is
expected. As a part of the worship of the Church, wedding are
subject to the Canons of the Episcopal Church and the customs of the
Cathedral. To be married in the Episcopal Church, a couple must
fulfill the following Canonical requirements: (a) at least one of the
persons must have been baptized, although not necessarily in the
Episcopal Church; (b) the priest must be given at least sixty days
notice of the intended wedding; (c) the couple must have interviews
with the priest in which (s)he instructs them in the Church's
understanding of Holy Matrimony; (d) the couple must obtain a marriage
license in the State of Maine; and (e) there must be two witnesses to
the marriage. Before any dates or plans are committed, the couple
must consult with one of the clergy concerning the requirements and
customs of the church. Divorced persons may only be married with the
permission of the Bishop. This must be done prior to establishing a
date on the Cathedral calendar. Guidelines for Weddings at St. Luke's
will be given to each couple when the decision has been made by clergy
to perform the ceremony. These guidelines contain necessary
information about flowers, photographs, fees, and music. The
Cathedral Musician is ultimately responsible for all decisions about
music for weddings. The bride and groom should meet with clergy well
in advance of the wedding, preferably at least six months prior to the
ceremony.
Click here to see our
Wedding
Pamphlet
Arranging a Funeral
"The death of a member of the church
should be reported to clergy and arrangements for the funeral should
be made by immediate family and close friends in consultation with the
clergy. After a waiting period of three days or so, baptized
Christians are properly buried from the church and the service should
be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be
present." (BCP p. 468)
Normally, the liturgy is said in the
church with the committal following at the graveside. It is
appropriate that there be a celebration of the Eucharist as a fitting
witness of the promise of Resurrection. In the Episcopal Church, the
casket is always closed before the service and, while in the church,
it is covered with a pall or national flag.
Members of the congregation are encouraged
to place copies of their own funeral arrangements on file in the
parish office. The Prayer Book rites have a selection of psalms and
readings from which to choose. A booklet entitled “From Strength to
Strength” is available on request from the church office and includes
guidelines and suggestions for funeral preparations, scripture
readings, music etc. Hymns and other music should reflect the
Resurrection theme. Clergy are available to assist with these plans.
"The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its
meaning in the Resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead,
we too, shall be raised." (BCP p. 507)
Click here to see our funeral guide
"From Strength to Strength"
Memorial Fund and Planned Giving
The Memorial Fund provides a convenient
way for friends and relatives to make a contribution to the church in
memory of one who has died. Prayer books, hymnals, vestments,
vessels, and other church appointments are purchased from the fund.
We encourage people to support the ministries at the Cathedral by
designating the St. Luke’s Memorial Fund for memorial contributions.
Numerous opportunities for planned giving and estate planning are
available through the parish office.
Rental Agreement
Those interested in renting space at the Cathedral as a venue for
music events, group meetings, weddings, funerals, or other small
functions should contact the church office to check availability and
receive a written rental agreement. The Rental Agreement is also
available online for printing.
Click here to see the
Rental Agreement
Human Resource Guide
Information on employment policies and regulations regarding
Hours of Work,
Attendance and Lateness Policy;
Standards of Conduct;
Compensation; Benefits; Leaves of
Absence and other information is available in this guide.
Click
here to see the
Human Resource Guide
By-Laws of the
Cathedral Church of St. Luke
AUTHORITY The Cathedral
Church of St. Luke accepts the doctrine, discipline and worship of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and
promises obedience to the Constitution and Canons thereof and of the
Diocese of Maine.
GREATER CHAPTER The Greater Chapter
shall be the Trustees of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke as provided
in the Constitution approved February 24, 1879.
The Greater Chapter shall consist of the Bishop, the Resident Canons
(not to exceed two) of the Cathedral, Three Canons designated as
Precentor, Missioner, and Sacrist; the Standing Committee of the
Diocese; and the Wardens and Vestry of St. Luke’s.
LESSER CHAPTER The Lesser Chapter
consisting of the Senior Resident Canon (Dean), Wardens (2) and Vestry
(9) shall carry out the duties prescribed by the Constitution of the
Cathedral of St. Luke.
Click here to see the entire
By-Laws
The
Annual Report for 2006
To view the annual report of the Cathedral Church of St Luke for 2005,
please
click here.
|
