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Occasional Celebrations

Occasional Celebrations is a collection of pastoral and seasonal liturgies that supplement the Book of Alternative Services. These rites support parish worship at significant moments in community life, offering resources for funerals, celebrations of new ministries, home blessings and other pastoral needs.

Contents

Seasons and Festivals Section A

  • Advent Festival of Readings and Music A2
  • Christmas Festival of Readings and Music A13
  • Easter Festival of Readings and Music A23
  • Advent Wreath A34

Liturgies of Membership Section B

  • Public Welcome of New Members to a Congregation B2
  • When Members Leave a Congregation B4
  • Guidelines on Worship Involving Christians and People of Other Faith Traditions B6
  • Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue B11
  • Prayers for Interfaith Gatherings B15

Liturgies Relating to Marriage Section C

  • Renewal of Marriage Vows or On the Anniversary of a Marriage C2
  • Blessing of a Civil Marriage—Form I C6
  • Blessing and Celebration After a Civil Marriage—Form II C14
  • At the Ending of a Marriage C24
  • Marriage Between a Christian and a Person of Another Faith Tradition C31

Liturgies Relating to Death and Burial Section D

  • Burial of One Who did Not Profess the Christian Faith D2
  • Burial of a Stillborn Child D7
  • After a Miscarriage or a Stillbirth D9

Installation and Commissioning Section E

  • Celebration of a New Ministry — A E2
  • Celebration of a New Ministry — B E11
  • Form of Institution E19
  • Installation of a Dean E22
  • Installation of a Diocesan Officer E25
  • Blessing or Commissioning for Service in Mission E27
  • Commissioning for Lay Ministries in the Church E31
  • The Welcoming and Seating of a Bishop in the Cathedral E34

Blessings and Prayers for the Created Order F

  • Blessing F2
  • Blessing of a Church or Chapel F12
  • Blessing of a Family F30
  • Prayers in a New Place of Residence F35
  • Blessing of a Home F41
  • Blessing of Home Animals F45
  • Blessing of Farm Animals F48
  • Blessing of Fisheries F52
  • Blessing of Forests and Forestry F56
  • Blessing of Mines F60
  • Blessing of Seeds at Planting Time F64
  • Prayer for the Environment F68

Best suited for: parish clergy, worship leaders, liturgy planners and communities seeking supplemental rites for pastoral and seasonal occasions

Cover of Occasional Celebrations

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.