Four sets of steps point to the four gospel writers or the angels at the four corners of the world Revelation Baptist churches often have six steps down and six steps up to symbolize the sixth day of Holy Week, Good Friday. Eight-sided fonts recall the eighth day, the first day of resurrection. Saint Augustine writes about "the Day of the Lord, an everlasting eighth day. Ambrose and Augustine also link the number six to Good Friday, the day on which Christ died the sixth day of Holy Week.
Many communion chalices are hexagonal for this same reason. Pools and fonts large enough to bathe in emphasize baptism as a washing or cleansing of sins Ezekiel , Ephesians There are also churches who see no reason to choose among shapes for a baptism pool or font—because they believe in being baptized outdoors in a stream , as Jesus was.
Following His resurrection from the dead, the weekly observation of the first creation was rendered obsolete by the celebration of the new creation. In an Easter Sermon given to the newly baptized and confirmed, St. Augustine discussed the symbolism of the eighth day, showing how Baptism fulfills the Old Testament institution of circumcision, which was done on the eighth day after birth:. All entrances to the church, and the main entrance to the parish house, are equipped with power-assist doors.
In addition, the main entrance to the parish house, from the large parking lot, has an ele vator on the ground floor that allows you to bypass the steps. The Grove Avenue entrance to the main church is gently sloped, without steps , and the Three Chopt Road entrance has a ramp. Inside the church, several pews are shortened to allow space for a wheelchair or walker: the first pews on either side of the center aisle, nearest the altar, and the pews near the large baptismal font.
The church is equipped with assistive hearing devices for the hearing-impaired. Please ask an usher for one of these devices as you enter the church. Stephen's Church has an active ministry for children and youth, staffed by an energetic and talented family ministries staff and dedicated, well-trained volunteers.
Our family ministry staff sends a regular email newsletter to parents for which you may sign up. At St. Stephen's, young people who desire to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church may do so in the ninth grade or later. They are prepared in a year-long course called "Philip's Way," and confirmation takes place when one of our bishops visits St.
Stephen's, usually in May. Young adults are part of every facet of parish life at St. Stephen's, and you are always welcome at any worship service, adult education opportunity or social event—membership is NOT required. You and your friends and family are always welcome here. One feature of this design is the provision of a new fixed, dignified space for the celebration of baptism. For if we have been united with [Christ Jesus] in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans Baptismal fonts have been formed in different shapes over the course of history, each revealing something of our belief in baptism being a sharing in the death and resurrection of Christ. Round baptismal fonts are symbolic of the womb and remind us that through baptism, we are reborn into new life with Christ.
Square or rectangular fonts seek to evoke the image of the tomb; they teach us that sharing in the resurrection of Christ comes only through sharing in his death. Another shape that has a long tradition in the design of baptismal fonts is the octagon.
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