Rites of passage are often overlooked in our fast-paced world. At St. John's, we help families acknowledge and celebrate important life passages in ways that have meaning to them. Our programs and liturgies are designed to help families feel the full support of the community at these major transitions in life.
Memorial Services
While often sad, memorials can also be a celebration of life. At St. John’s we are committed to creating a ceremony that expresses the beauty and true nature of who that person was and what was most important to them. We have created art studios for an artist, performed Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus for a fan of Easter and had Brazilian dancers perform. If you are interested in giving some thought to your own, click on this link “Memorial Service Planning.” For additional information contact: Scott Denman at Rector@stjohnsoakland.org.
Memorial Service Planning
Spiritual leaders and philosophers throughout history have taught that the contemplation of one’s death is essential if one is to embrace life fully. Jesus said, “for whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it" Mk 8:35. Encouraging you to contemplate your death is not a morbid activity, but rather a spiritual discipline. Asking you to design your memorial service is one way to engage in this spiritual exercise. It will energize your purpose, but it will also allow you to throw your last party, extending your love, unique spirit and wisdom to those who will gather to remember you and seek to emulate you.
When you think about it, wouldn’t anyone want to have a say in an event that is entirely about them and happens only once? We often provide for those we leave behind, but ironically, forget to guide friends and family as to what we would like in our memorial services. Designing your memorial service is your last act of love to those you leave behind, sharing with them who you are and what you love and cherish. Knowing you have provided guidance and inspiration for this important moment will bring you peace. Formatting your memorial is just as important as making sure you have a will or an advanced directive.
This worksheet is meant to catalyze your creative energies, and is not intended to be a formula. We invite you to be yourself and think about ways that would best express who you are. At a memorial service for an artist, we turned the sanctuary into an art museum, displaying many of their works. At another service we recreated an Easter morning service with brass and tympani. At yet another service we had a motorcycle club that the parishioner belonged to play a significant role in the service.
Click here for the worksheet.
Memorial Services
While often sad, memorials can also be a celebration of life. At St. John’s we are committed to creating a ceremony that expresses the beauty and true nature of who that person was and what was most important to them. We have created art studios for an artist, performed Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus for a fan of Easter and had Brazilian dancers perform. If you are interested in giving some thought to your own, click on this link “Memorial Service Planning.” For additional information contact: Scott Denman at Rector@stjohnsoakland.org.
Memorial Service Planning
Spiritual leaders and philosophers throughout history have taught that the contemplation of one’s death is essential if one is to embrace life fully. Jesus said, “for whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it" Mk 8:35. Encouraging you to contemplate your death is not a morbid activity, but rather a spiritual discipline. Asking you to design your memorial service is one way to engage in this spiritual exercise. It will energize your purpose, but it will also allow you to throw your last party, extending your love, unique spirit and wisdom to those who will gather to remember you and seek to emulate you.
When you think about it, wouldn’t anyone want to have a say in an event that is entirely about them and happens only once? We often provide for those we leave behind, but ironically, forget to guide friends and family as to what we would like in our memorial services. Designing your memorial service is your last act of love to those you leave behind, sharing with them who you are and what you love and cherish. Knowing you have provided guidance and inspiration for this important moment will bring you peace. Formatting your memorial is just as important as making sure you have a will or an advanced directive.
This worksheet is meant to catalyze your creative energies, and is not intended to be a formula. We invite you to be yourself and think about ways that would best express who you are. At a memorial service for an artist, we turned the sanctuary into an art museum, displaying many of their works. At another service we recreated an Easter morning service with brass and tympani. At yet another service we had a motorcycle club that the parishioner belonged to play a significant role in the service.
Click here for the worksheet.
