Life Events
Baptism
Full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ and the church.
Confirmation
A Rite in which baptized persons make a mature commitment to Christ and receive continual support from the Holy Spirit. It is generally done at the completion of Confirmation classes and involves the laying on of hands by the Bishop.
Funeral/Burial
A celebration of the life of one who has died as they are received into the Heavenly Kingdom. A columbarium for the interment of ashes is at the entrance of the church in the narthex.
Healing
The Unction of the Sick is a rite of anointing the sick with oil, or laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of the spirit, mind, and body.
Marriage
Marriage in the Episcopal Church is a sacramental rite in which in which a man and a woman “enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 861).
The union is understood to be intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord (BCP, p. 423). At the Declaration of Consent, both persons promise to love, comfort, honor, and keep their spouse, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to their spouse as long as they both live (BCP, p. 424).
The congregation witnesses the couple’s promises, and the members of the congregation promise to do all in their power to uphold the couple in their marriage.
If you are interested in being married at St. Christopher’s you must contact the clergy (Vicar) at least ninety days prior to the hoped for wedding date to arrange for pastoral counseling and to discuss arrangements.
Consultation with clergy and the church calendar are the first steps in planning a wedding at St. Christopher’s.
Annual Events
Our Annual Oyster Roast is held Shrove Tuesday in preparation for Ash
Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. Our 2023 Oyster
Roast was a great success due to the support of the community and
volunteers. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 13, 2024!
This powerful event takes place on Good Friday each year. St. Christopher’s, along with the other local Episcopal churches as well as some other denominations, walk through Downtown Spartanburg taking turns carrying a wooden cross, stopping at 12 spots for scripture readings on a journey with Christ to his crucifixion. The journey ends with a short service at The Episcopal Church of the Advent.
After the Easter service, young children gather with their baskets and join in on an Easter Egg Hunt.
The Sunday before school starts back, St. Christopher’s holds a blessing of the backpacks during the service. Students, teachers and others who work at or attend school bring their backpacks to church and receive a blessing before the start of a new school year.
The Sunday afternoon closest to October 4th, in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Christopher’s holds a blessing of the animals. Everyone is encouraged to bring their pets to this service held on the lawn next to the church, where they will be blessed by our vicar and deacon.
A quiet and contemplative service is held each Veteran’s Day in the church with the lighting of candles in honor and remembrance of the Veterans in our lives. A Labyrinth made out of American flags is installed in the lawn next to the church for people to walk while praying.