There are seven Sacraments recognized within the Anglican Church. Holy Unction is one of the oldest outward signs of God's inward presence and Blessing. It consists of oils that have been especially blended and Blessed by the Bishop. These sacred oils are renewed on an annual basis.
Unction, the anointing of a Christian with the Blessed oil is often misunderstood. Because it is often associated with last rights, death and dying, the Sacrament is viewed as being "Spooky". It is not a holy insurance or voodoo. It is not magical. Rather, Unction is a re-stating and sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit from God, alive within us, giving us the assurance and power to know God is alive within us as we journey and face our lives. It is there to help us celebrate, face life decisions, grieve, and face our mortality. We are not alone. God is with us, marked again through the sign of the oils as one of God's own forever.
This sacrament is offered at All Saints on a weekly basis following the Sunday Eucharist in the Prayer and Meditation Room.
In addition to this sacrament, the parish offers individuals the opportunity to light a votive candle before the service in the Prayer and Meditation Room.
A votive candle or prayer candle is a small candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, intended to be burnt as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer especially within the Holy Eucharist. In Christianity, votive candles are commonplace in many churches as well as home altars and symbolize the "prayers" the worshipper is offering for him or herself, or for other people. The use of both the Holy Oils for Unction and the lighting of Votive candles come from the roots of the Anglican Church in the Benedictine tradition which forms the root of Anglicanism.