> Baptisms
> Weddings & Unions
> Funerals
Baptisms
"Baptism is both God’s gift and our human response to that gift. It is a sign and seal of our common discipleship. Through baptism, Christians are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the church of every time and place."
(Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, World Council of Churches, 1982)
St. Luke’s welcomes people of all ages into the Christian church through the sacrament of baptism. Infant baptism is the practice in which parents thank God for the gift of a child/children, make a commitment to start the child on the journey of faith and ask for the Church's support. St. Luke’s celebrates the baptism of babies and children on five feast days throughout the year: the baptism of our Lord (in January), Easter Eve (usually in April), Pentecost (usually in May/June), and All Saints' Day (first weekend in November); and on one Sunday in July or August. There are no private baptisms, as this rite of welcome requires the participation of the congregation. Parents who have decided to make St. Luke’s their spiritual home are invited to contact the Senior Associate to discuss the meaning and importance of the baptism, and to schedule the appropriate date and time. Contact the Church Office 212-924-0562 or email mfoulke@stlukeinthefields.org.
Adult baptisims celebrated on Easter Eve. More information about preparing for Adult baptism, confirmation or reaffirmation of baptismal vows can be found in the “Formation” section on the Adult page of the Learn and Grow area of the site.
Weddings and Unions
The sacrament of marriage, or a holy union, is a covenant between two people entered into before God in the church. It is never seen as a private event, and for that reason weddings take place in the presence of Christian witnesses and guests. It is a lifelong commitment by two people to love, honor and cherish one another through life in faithfulness and true godliness.
At least one person must be a baptized member of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. Persons desiring to marry or have their civil marriage blessed must contact one of the priests to begin preparation and to ascertain a date that is available. In general the preparation must begin at least six months before the date of the ceremony. There will be a minimum of three meetings between the couple and the priest. Often there are four or five meetings. If either person has been married previously, the couple must secure the permission of the Bishop of the Diocese of New York to marry must be given of the Bishop of the Diocese of New York for the wedding to proceed.
Funerals
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God's keeping. This can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.
St. Luke’s supports our community in these important and often difficult times. We hope that the following information will help you to decide how best to move forward:
Funeral or Memorial Service? During a funeral service, a casket or urn is present, and the funeral home will contact the church to make arrangements for the service. A loved one's remains are not necessary for a memorial service, though sometimes an urn is present. The service may be scheduled shortly after death or at the convenience of the family.
Scheduling the use of the church: Prior to making any arrangements, please contact Sheila Read, Assistant to the Clergy in the Parish Office at 212-924-0562 or sread@stlukeinthefields.org to arrange for a time for the service. This will assure that the church and a member of the clergy will be available to meet your needs.
Music: The Director of Music will arrange for an organist if you desire it, unless other music is requested. When planning the service, appropriate musical selections will be discussed.
Burial: If you wish a member of the clergy to lead a burial service at the graveside, please schedule this in advance. St. Luke’s does not have a graveyard. There is a columbarium in the church. For more information about the columbarium, please contact the Business Manager, Maureen Doyle at 212-924-0562 or, mdoyle@stlukeinthefields.org.
