Welcome to St. Cyprian's Anglican Church Learn more about us here ... Please take time and acquaint yourself with our programs, ministries and worship. I think you will be impressed with the activities and the fellowship you will find in our congregation. Note particularly the strong focus on ecumenical life, which has always been central for us and the other members of the Tri-Churches community. This emphasis provides a whole new and enriching aspect to our lives. Please know that we are always delighted for you to worship with us at St. Cyprian’s. Tri-Churches Worship & Ministries You Were Asking Who is St. Cyprian Parish Nursing Contact Us Links You were asking ... Baptisms 1. What is the purpose of baptism? Baptism is the sacrament with which we are plunged into the life-giving water, and symbolically die and rise again to new life the life of Christ and his resurrection. Baptism is the occasion when we become a part of the family of God it is our re-birth in Christ. We also become brothers and sisters of those who are part of the community of which is described as the Body of Christ. Like any child born into the family, we need to be given nurturing food and trained in our new life. 2. Can a person be baptized at any age? Yes.  Infancy has long been the most familiar time for Anglican Baptisms, but recently we have had quite a number of adult baptisms.  Baptism at any age is appropriate. Someone said, and it makes sense, that we Anglicans don't advocate as preferable adult baptisms, or infant baptisms, but rather people baptisms. 3. How many Godparents should be given to a child? The traditional number of Godparents is two of the same gender as the Baptismal candidate, and one of the opposite gender, but much less stress is put on this than in the past. Today, we work hard to see that the baptismal candidate is made aware of the importance of growing up in the church, and really that means that the whole family and specifically the parents are give careful instruction both pre-baptism and as the person grows.   Confirmations 1. What is Confirmation? Confirmation is the celebration of Christian maturity in our life in Christ. At this stage, the candidate takes on herself or himself the vows that were made in the Baptism, which are renewed at the Confirmation service. The Symbol of Confirmation is the Bishop laying his or her hands on the head of the candidate and calling the Holy Spirit to continue working in the lives of the candidates, empowering them for ministry. Unlike the way it has been so often presented, Confirmation is a renewal of the vows of baptism, which is now understood as the most important sacrament. 2. At what age should a person be confirmed? A person can be confirmed at any age whenever they are ready to proclaim their faith in God to the Church family. There are a lot of changes in the preferred time because of the more frequent baptism of adults. In fact efforts have been made to have baptism and confirmation together for an adult candidate. 3. I am not confirmed but I am baptized. Can I present myself to receive Holy Communion? See the above answer.  Baptism is our new birth celebration, and Confirmation merely reinforces the new life given in baptism. The church generally has accepted that the old way, i.e. delay communion until after confirmation, is totally unjustifiable. If you are baptized and in any church you are welcome to receive communion at the Lord's table. Weddings 1. My fiancée and I are not Anglicans. Can we be married in an Anglican church and how should we prepare for our marriage ceremony? People asking to be married in an Anglican Church must fulfill the legal qualifications, and fill out the Marriage license. And one, or both, must be baptized Christians. It is further expected that the couple participate in some form of marriage preparation. I usually meet with a couple 2 or 3 times, and strongly urge that they attend the weekend marriage preparation course provided by the Diocese (and I might add that I've never had a couple attend this course and come back saying it is waste time and generally they are quite grateful). 2. If we got married at an Anglican church, would we be encouraged to baptize our children in the church? Marriage is placed in the context of a life directed to living the love of Christ in our relationships or liturgically, living out the death and resurrection of Christ. This would imply that the family thus established should want to have their children baptized in the church entering into the mystery of Christ's love for us, which is also the focus of the specific love we celebrate in marriage. 3. Is there a financial cost for the performance of the marriage ceremony and the use of the church organist? Yes. There is a lot of time put into the process and the common practice is to pay the organist, usually we suggest $100, as well as making a donation to the church in Thanksgiving. And the practice of giving an honorarium to the Clergy is often maintained. But an important overriding consideration is that no one is asked to give more than they can afford. In other words, there is flexibility. Funerals 1. Does the Anglican Church conduct the funeral of non-Anglicans? I have frequently conducted the funeral for a non-Anglican. I normally spend some time with the family to ascertain if there are any serious problems for which I might be of assistance. The focus is on pastoral care, not on legality. If people approach me, I try to be available. Assistance 1. I am not an Anglican. I am having some emotional and moral challenges in my life. Can I be counseled by an ordained member of the Anglican Church? I think most Anglican clergy try to be available to counsel someone in need. I know I do. On the other hand, not all clergy are trained for this ministry, although I think we have all had some training. But if I can't be of help, I would see my role as referral to some one who CAN help. 2. Sometimes I would like to ask a church group to pray for me. Can you explain how this is done at St. Cyprian's? This is what we are about! You should be able to contact the clergy and know that you will be prayed for. I would ask for clarification as to whether you want to be prayed for in church and a request should be all that is needed. Or if you want the rector's prayers without a name mentioned in church, which is OK as well.  In addition, we have our prayer chain where the members take prayer requests and pray for the people who requested it on a daily basis. Donations 1. My aunt is not an Anglican. She would like to make a bequest to St. Cyprian's.  Can you explain the process and benefits of her action? I think this is as individual as the person making the donation. I think the lawyer would be the best advisor for this, but I and/or the wardens would be pleased to discuss making a donation with her. Children 1. My children ages 2 to 10 years would like to accompany me to church.  Does St. Cyprian's provide child care? It is my sincere hope that children be provided for much more than child care and we are looking at ways to get children involved as much as possible. I don't believe that a two year old cannot learn and experience God's love, but it has to be tailored to their age level.  Our goal is to have Christian Education for all ages of children. Worship Services Sundays at 10:30 am in church and via Zoom 1080 Finch Avenue East, North York, Toronto (just east of Leslie and Finch, north of the 401) Map