St. Anthony on the Desert Celebrating Milestones
In each of our lives there are times when we are drawn into a deeper relationship with God. Whether you are new to the community, new to the Episcopal Church or experiencing a milestone in your life such as marriage or the birth of a child we offer programs to support you in your journey.
Your Faith Your Life
This series is designed for those wishing to reaffirm their faith or as a vehicle for confirmation for adults and high school youth. In addition to learning about the Episcopal Church in general and St. Anthony on the Desert in specific, participants will also have the opportunity to investigate their how their passions and abilities can benefit our communities and our world in the name of Christ. Contact Jill Kyler (jillkyler@st-anthony.net) for more information. Scheduled for fall and spring sessions.
Baptism
The sacrament of baptism marks the entry into the body of Christ – the Church. The rituals of baptism provide a means for our affirmative response to God’s overflowing love as we are marked as Christ’s own forever. Preparation for baptism – whether for one self or for one’s child -- provides a place within the context of the church community to explore and ask questions concerning our Christian beliefs. Those desiring baptism will participate in three session class. Classes are scheduled twice a year.
- Easter Vigil
- Day of Pentecost
- All Saints Day
- Feast of the Baptism of our Lord
Affirming One’s Faith
Many are baptized as infants where parents and godparents assume the vows of the baptismal covenant on their behalf. In the Episcopal Church a special sacrament of Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation is offered which allows individuals to affirm these baptismal vows as adults before a bishop of the church. Our Youth Ministry program – Journey to Adulthood serves as a vehicle to prepare youth to take this important step in faith. Adults who desire Confirmation are invited to participate in Part II of our Belonging, Believing, Becoming series. Those interested should contact the Rector for more details.
At St. Anthony, couples work together with clergy to make a wedding a meaningful, joyous event – a sacrament as well as a gathering of those who will support the couple. The process encourages couples to seek a closer relationship with God and the Church.
We are honored and delighted that you are considering our church to be the setting for one of the most important events in your life. God cares about you, your marriage, and your happiness. We want to help you design a joyful ceremony using the resources of the Christian faith within the context of the rich tradition of the Episcopal Church.
While we don’t require that you become a part of our community before getting married, we do hope that you will give us serious consideration as a potential church home during the time you prepare for marriage.
We ask couples to take the follow steps to arrange a wedding at St. Anthony on the Desert.
- Step 1: Decide if St. Anthony is the right place for your wedding.
Your first step is to attend worship if you are not already a part of our church community so that you have a better understanding of our liturgical traditions. - Step 2: Talk with Kelle Hohl (kellehohl@st-anthony.net) our parish administrator, for general information and questions regarding the availability of facilities and clergy.
- Step 3: Meet with the Rector, the Rev. Dorian Mulvey (dorianmulvey@st-anthony.net)
Your next step is to contact Pastor Mulvey (dorianmulvey@st-anthony.net) to set up an in-person meeting. She’ll ask you about your plans, tell you about St. Anthony, review our guidelines surrounding weddings and associated fees and answer your questions. - Step 4: Complete the necessary paperwork.
Our wedding brochure includes information about fees, music, attendants, and basic requirements. It also provides guidelines for photographers and florists. After reading these details, you’ll complete the wedding information form and the Declaration of Intention. - Step 5: Learn more about the church. We ask you to attend a fun and friendly three-session class called "Belonging, Believing, Becoming" which reviews the basics of the Christian faith and the Episcopal Church. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet St. Anthony staff and lay leaders as well as others who are considering becoming members of St. Anthony. (The class is offered twice a year, in the fall and spring.)
- Step 6: Meet for Premarital Counseling
While your wedding is very important to us, the health of your relationship after marriage is even more important. Once married, couples often need help living into the vows they have taken and need practical skills to help keep their love alive. Four sessions of premarital counseling will assist you in identifying your strengths as a couple as well as ways to nurture your marriage so that it can become the fulfilling, lifelong relationship which God intended it to be. - Step 7: Meet to Discuss the Details of the Service
You’ll meet with Pastor Dorian to select scripture readings and discuss any spiritual questions you might have. This meeting should happen at least several weeks before your wedding. You will also be assigned a member of our Wedding Guild who will be present on the day of your ceremony to insure that everything runs smoothly. - Step 8: Plan your music.
At least one month before the ceremony, meet with Joe Hacnik, (joehacnik@st-anthony.net) Director of Music, to select your music. In our Christian tradition, wedding music plays an important role in helping friends, family, and the couple celebrate the blessing of marriage, combining both the joy and sacredness of the event. In choosing music, please keep in mind that the choices should reflect not only your relationship with each other and God, but also be suitable for the entire community you have invited to gather. There is a broad variety of music to choose from. Joe Hacnik will help you discover just the right combination of music (and additional musicians if you so choose) for your wedding, will play through some selections, and help you put it all together.
- That as much advance notice as possible be given to St. Anthony clergy of your plans to marry (a minimum of 90 days).
- That the couple receive permission from our Rector if there is a desire for clergy outside of St. Anthony to co-officiate. We encourage and welcome ecumenical or inter-faith ceremonies; however, additional coordination and planning is usually needed.
- That the couple successfully complete premarital counseling and are adequately prepared to seek and maintain a lifelong and healthy union as husband and wife under God’s guidance and care. We ask that couples complete their counseling as early as possible in the process and no later than six weeks before the wedding.
- That both parties receive instruction on the Christian understanding of marriage and family (with at least one party having already been baptized) and agree to work with clergy and music director in designing and participating in a service which reflects the sacredness of the event within the broad context of the Episcopal faith.
- That the couple assumes responsibility for obtaining a wedding license issued by the State of Arizona and agree to follow state laws.
- That in the case that either you or your fiancée has been married previously that you provide the following: (1) a copy of the divorce decree, (2) give consent to your officiating clergy to ask the Bishop’s permission to officiate at your wedding, and (3) be willing to discuss the ending of the previous marriage in order to determine if adequate closure has been achieved and that the welfare of any former spouse or children of the prior marriage has been considered.
- Drop in on the Sunday Cafe
This gathering happens most Sundays in the Parish Hall after the 10 a.m. worship services with relevant and interactive adult discussions. Have a cup of coffee, a bite to eat and make some new friends. See you there.
- Service Times
Holy Communion & Healing Service
This noonday service combines prayers for healing with a celebration of the Eucharistic. This intimate service is held in our Chapel of St. Luke the Physician. Laying on of hands is offered for those seeking healing.
Sunday Worship
Holy Communion 8:00 a.m. Are you an early riser? Join us for a more intimate service of Holy Eucharist with organ and cantor.
Holy Communion 10:00 a.m. This service time meets the needs of many families as we offer a staffed nursery as well as programs for children and youth. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated with gifted musical support from our various choirs.
Third Sunday As the name suggests on the Third Sunday of each month (September through May) our 10 am service provides a special emphasis on children and youth. A bit more abbreviated liturgy incorporates a children’s sermon.
For special service times
Call (480) 451-0860
- start the day...
Gratefulness – the simple response of our heart to this life in all its fullness – goes beyond boundaries of creed, age, vocation, gender, and nation. Start each day with a word of gratefulness.
Gratefulness - Labryinth
Take a moment during your day to walk the labyrinth. You’ll be so glad you did.