What We Believe

Sacraments

We are a sacramental church. This means we believe that together, certain material items and particular actions communicate God's love, grace and commitment to us. When as the church we break bread together, or baptize with water, or bless the bond of love between two people, we participate with items and actions that speak a word that is both a word from God and to God, assuring us of God’s great love and mercy, of God’s active presence in our lives.

Sacraments are not magic. We believe that the sacraments are a grace in and of themselves, inviting us further into the divine life and love shared between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Book of Common Prayer describes a sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace,” a good description for the mystery that takes place in these rituals of the church.

Sacraments are practiced in the context of a worshiping community. As we believe God lives in relationship within God’s self (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit), so we also believe that sacraments are meant to be lived out and shared in the relationship shown in a faith community.

Baptism

The doors of All Saints' are open to anyone who seeks God or a deeper knowledge of God. Whether you have a new child and are looking for a place to have your child baptized, or are an adult seeking full initiation in the life of a Christian community, the Church, you are welcome.

In baptism, we become full members of the Body of Christ. It is our ‘yes’ to God’s ever present invitation to live as God calls us to live—embracing a life focused on God and God’s priorities of love, mercy, justice, seeking and serving Christ in others, respecting the dignity of every human being. Through the waters of baptism, we are adopted into the household of God, identified as one marked as Christ’s own forever, and given the gift of this new life. As members of the body we call the Church, our involvement finds it highest meaning in our receiving Holy Communion. This is why the church links baptism with the meal of thanksgiving that we refer to as Holy Eucharist.

We believe that baptism is a practice of the entire church community, which is why baptisms take place during a Sunday service. During the service, the congregation is asked whether they will support the newly baptized in their Christian life. We answer heartily, “We will!” And we mean this. Therefore baptism makes sense to those who are currently - or wish to become – active in the community. Becoming a member of the church involves a commitment from you to Christ and to the Church, as well as a commitment from the members of All Saints' to you. We take this joyful commitment seriously and so there is a preparation process to help you be sure you understand and want to make that commitment.

Arrangements for preparation and baptism are made by talking with the Rector. This can be done by calling the All Saints' Office at 732-291-0214 or emailing the Office

Baptism Form

Marriage

All Saints’ follows the canon Laws of both the national Episcopal Church and the Diocese of New Jersey concerning Holy Matrimony. Marriage is open to all legally marriable adults, including LGBTQ+ couples. According to church canons—which govern the operations of the church—at least one partner should be a baptized member of the Body of Christ. These canons also require that if either or both of you have been married before and ended that marriage by legal annulment or divorce, you apply for for permission to be remarried in the Church from our Bishop. (The Rector will help you do this.)

An initial meeting with the Rector is preferred at least six months prior to the wedding in order to schedule a wedding here. Both members of the couple should make an appointment for an initial meeting with the Rector. This initial meeting will be followed by several premarital counseling sessions. Please call the All Saints’ Office at 732-291-0214 or email the Office.

To find out more about weddings at All Saints' , download our Wedding Information Sheet (pdf below). To apply for a certain date, please complete our on-line Marriage Information Form.

Marriage Information Form

Burial

All Saints' is a Church surrounded by the saints, both living and those who have died in the hope of the resurrection. A visit to our parish will reveal how the cemetery forms an important part of our community, both in the beauty of the site, and in how those who are buried there are, in a sense, always with us and part of our worship of the living God.

We are always available to assist in celebrating and honoring the life of those who have passed through the gate of death into eternal life, and walking with their loved ones in this time of grief. Funerals and memorial services are not limited to those who are being buried in the All Saints’ Cemetery.

Please note that our historic cemetery is not selling plots at this time, and they are usually reserved for parishioners and friends of the parish; we also offer a memorial garden for the internment of ashes from cremation. We also have a memorial garden for the internment of ashes of pets, which is open to the community.

Arrangements are made by talking with the Rector. This can be done by calling the All Saints' Office at 732-291-0214 or emailing the Office

Confirmation

While we believe the baptism is full membership is the Body of Christ, Confirmation provides the opportunity for those who were baptized as infants to learn about and then take on those baptismal promises for themselves, thus allowing them to make a mature affirmation of faith in the presence of a Bishop through the laying on of hands for the strengthening of God’s Holy Spirit in one’s life.

All Saints' Confirmation program for youth begins in the seventh grade and continues into High school. During the seventh and eighth grade years, confirmands meet on a regular basis (currently twice per month from September through May) for scripture study. Once in high school, instruction will focus on other aspects of the Church, such as liturgy, history, ethics and spiritual practices. Community service hours are also part of this program.

Adults may also be confirmed. If you were confirmed in another faith tradition, you may elect to be received into The Episcopal Church. Adults seeking confirmation or reception should contact the parish office for preparation information.

Arrangements are made by talking with the Rector. This can be done by calling the All Saints' Office at 732-291-0214 or emailing the Office.

All Saints' Memorial Church

Worship With Us

Sacraments

Baptism

Marriage

Burial

Confirmation