Pastoral Counseling — Pastoral Counseling, in practice, embraces a wide array of topics, all of which have to do with discerning God’s movement in our lives and how we might respond to him. Prayer, Spiritual Direction, a Rule of Life, discipleship, penance, stewardship, grief, loss, pain and suffering are all topics which properly fall under the general heading of Pastoral Counseling. The Clergy are available by appointment to assist parishioners with these and related matters.

Prayer Requests — Prayers for a host of personal and parish-wide concerns are offered three times a day in Memorial Chapel Monday through Friday at Morning and Evening Prayer and at the daily Eucharist, and on Saturday morning at the Eucharist. If you wish to have your concern included among those prayers for a particular day or for an extended period of nine (9) days, please call the Church Office at 214-521-5101 or email us at info@incarnation.org.

Prebaptismal Counseling — In addition to the periodic class “By Water and the Holy Spirit” which provides a thorough introduction to and understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for parents and God-parents, prebaptismal counseling often occurs between the “family” (parents), Godparents and the officiating priest. This “counseling” outlines a theology of baptism for the participants and provides a “rehearsal” for the baptismal liturgy.

Premarital Counseling — The Canons of the Episcopal Church direct that those person who desire to be married in our Church are to be instructed as to the nature, meaning and purpose of Holy Matrimony. Accordingly, premarital counseling at Church of the Incarnation meets their basic requirement, but in addition, and perhaps of equal importance, premarital counseling has the goal of establishing or deepening a pastoral relationship between the marrying couple and the priest who will officiate at their wedding. This relationship emerges from several counseling sessions which may have to do with personal histories, and understanding of Christian love, marital expectations such as parenting and finances, and participation in the community of faith. Arrangements for premarital counseling should be made by the couple with the priest whom they desire to have solemnize their marriage. Click here for more information about weddings at Incarnation. 

Reconciliation & Confession— “Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is a rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution” (BCP, p.861; see also pp. 447-451) At Incarnation, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. in Memorial Chapel, or by appointment with a priest.

Deaths, Funerals & Burials — Death is a sacred mystery on the horizon of life for each of us. Death does not mean the end of life; rather it means life is changed. God in His merciful love comforts us with the hope of everlasting life with Him in His glorious and eternal kingdom. The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. To bury the dead is one of the Church’s seven corporal works of mercy; therefore at Church of the Incarnation the burial office is available to anyone and accordingly no fees are charged for this service of the Church. When flowers are desired at the altars the Altar Guild will arrange for those displays with the family of the deceased and the florists we customarily use. That florist will bill the family directly. If a more elaborate funeral is planned, fees may be assessed by the Church of the Incarnation to cover the cost of soloists, musicians and receptions held at the church. Honoraria may be made to the participating clergy and organists but such gifts are neither required nor prescribed. When cremation is planned, inurnment in Incarnation's beautiful Memorial Garden is available. Further information about niches may be obtained through the Clergy or Business Office. Funeral Plans and Burial Instructions are available through Incarnation's Foundation or through the Church office to assist you in the planning of your or your loved one's funeral and/or burial. In addition, Incarnation will maintain a file of your funeral and burial plans and make it available to loved ones. This may be especially helpful to family members who are not accustomed to the traditions of the Episcopal Church.