GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF BEVERAGE ALCOHOL
Updated January 2010

The following Guidelines regarding serving beverage alcohol have been developed for St Alban’s Episcopal Church, El Paso, Texas, and comply with the national guidelines of the Episcopal Church.

1. All federal, state and local laws and ordinances must be observed.  This includes regulations required for the sale of alcohol, prohibiting the distribution of alcohol to minors and not serving alcohol to intoxicated persons.

2. Social events held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and sponsored by active church members may include wine or wine punch only, provided that the following policies are upheld:

3. Alcohol may be consumed only by those of legal drinking age. Drunkenness will not be tolerated. Beer or Hard liquor may not be served at any event. Open or cash bars are not allowed. At any social or parish event where wine or champagne is served, non-alcoholic beverages must also be offered with equal accessibility.

4. Supplies of non-alcoholic beverages will be ample and easily available. Sponsors of events held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church are responsible for ensuring that these policies are strictly enforced.

5. The group or organization sponsoring an activity or event at which wine, wine punch or champagne beverages are to be served, must have permission from the priest in charge of the parish.

      5.   Alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol must be clearly labeled & identified.

      6.  The serving of alcoholic beverages at events should not be publicized as an attraction.

      7.  It is a requirement  that beverage alcohol not to be served to anyone, including adults, at any event directed primarily to and for minors.  This includes elementary and high school events, scouting activities, etc.  Under no circumstances should minors sell or distribute beverage alcohol.

8.  All clergy in leadership roles are responsible for ensuring these Guidelines are made known and observed.

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ST ALBAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

FACILITIES USE POLICY

Christian faith, worship, and family to further community fellowship and outreach.  St. Alban’s treasures her long history as a part of the El Paso community and regards it as a major responsibility of her Christian mission to assist other churches, charitable, civic and non-profit organizations in their own missions to improve the quality of life for the citizens of our community.

Consistent with this dedication to our community, St. Alban’s is pleased to make available to non-profit and charitable organizations portions of its facilities for meetings and other gatherings in furtherance of the good work of those organizations.

Bearing in mind that the facilities of St. Alban’s must first be dedicated to its own services and functions, we invite non-profit, charitable and civic organizations to consult with the Rector to determine if functions they might wish to hold at St. Alban’s are appropriate for our facilities and can be scheduled at mutually agreeable times.

There is no charge for our facilities for these stated uses, although we must ask organizations using them to reimburse us for actual or extraordinary expenses to the Church.  These expenses include non-scheduled janitorial services and any unusual use of utilities, heating and cooling, setting up and removing seating, etc.  The Rector will discuss specific expense reimbursement with sponsoring organizations in the event it is determined these expenses are likely to significantly exceed our routine costs of operating and maintaining our facilities.

Set forth below are the few rules and restrictions with which we ask compliance by sponsoring organizations.

No smoking is allowed in the St. Alban’s buildings and the serving of alcoholic beverages is subject to guidelines provided by the Episcopal Church.  Please ask for a copy of these guidelines if you are considering the service of alcoholic beverages.

If the services of outside contractors, including food and beverage caterers, are to be utilized during a function in our facilities, the business entities providing those services must provide us, at least seven (7) days prior to the function, a Certificate of Insurance evidencing that contractor is covered by Worker’s Compensation and General Public Liability insurance and the contractor must agree in writing to hold St. Alban’s harmless from any losses and claims for personal or property damage arising as a result of its activities.

No decorations, posters, signs or similar items may be attached to any part of our premises without the prior consent of the Rector and these items must be removed without damage to the property within twenty-four hours following the conclusion of the function, and possibly sooner, if requested by the Rector, due to upcoming services of the Church.

No gatherings of a political nature may be held at St. Alban’s.  This policy does not preclude the holding of public informational meetings by current office holders, but there must be no campaign rhetoric or fund-raising.  It is requested that candidates for public office not use our facilities for meetings within sixty (60) days of the election in which the individual is a candidate for election.

Non-member individuals and purely social organizations may request the use of St. Alban’s facilities for reunions, banquets and receptions.  Requests for such use of our facilities must be directed to the Rector who will determine if the planned event is suitable for our facilities.  For functions of this nature, a fee of $250 will be charged, payable in full not less than ten (10) in advance of the function.

Sponsors of any event held in St. Alban’s facilities are requested to ensure that attendees not wander through parts of our facilities which have not been specifically approved for the event.

Bearing in mind that St. Alban’s is a church, users of our facilities are requested to limit live or recorded music to that which is appropriate for church-owned facilities and to seek prior approval from the Rector for all musical offerings.

It is our pleasure to welcome you to St. Alban’s and we trust that your planned event will be entirely successful.  Please let us know if we can offer advice or assistance.

Approved by the Vestry, February 17, 2008

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CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

SAINT ALBAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

El Paso, Texas, May 1, 2010

This policy is to guide those persons considering a wedding at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. It is vital for couples planning to be married in the church to understand that Christian marriage implies a belief that God, through Jesus Christ, will play an important role in their new relationship and throughout their life together and the wedding service is the beginning of that remarkable journey of lifelong marriage.  A wedding is a day; a marriage is a lifetime.

“Who may be married at St. Alban’s Church?”

Any Episcopalian man and/or Episcopalian woman, (neither of whom is divorced), whose proposed marriage conforms to the laws of the State of Texas and accepts the civil and canonical right of the Priest in Charge to decline the marriage request without explanation and if:

· one of the two parties is a baptized member of an Episcopal Church
· they are willing to conform to the standards of this policy statement;       
· they are committed to establishing a Christian marriage; and will sign the following:

DECLARATION OF INTENTION

We, ________ ________________ and _________________________,
desiring to receive the blessing of Holy Matrimony in the Church, do solemnly declare that we hold marriage to be a lifelong union of husband and wife as is set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. "We believe that the union of husband and wife, in heart, body and mind, is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. And we do engage ourselves, so far as in us lies, to make our utmost effort to establish this relationship and to seek God's help thereto."

_______________________________
Signature of Groom

_______________________________
Signature of Bride

Date:___________________

(If there has been a divorce of one or both parties intending to be married, permission of the Priest in Charge must be obtained before any further planning is begun.  If either party had been divorced more than once, permission to marry within the Church must be obtained from the Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.  These requirements uphold the Church’s pastoral responsibility to ensure that divorced persons fully comprehend the reasons for their divorce.)

How are wedding arrangements made?”

Couples who want to be married at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church should make such desire known to the Priest in Charge at least two months prior to the planned wedding date. Our clergy require couples wishing to be married in this church to complete a minimum of six hours of pre-marital counseling with clergy.  During the meetings with clergy, the priest will advise the couple concerning the nature of Christian marriage and develop their understanding and commitment to marriage.    

“What is the nature of the service?”

Marriage at Saint Alban’s is performed within the tradition of the Episcopal Church.  Only the “Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage” as contained in the Book of Common Prayer may be used as a liturgical form for the service. The final decision relating to all elements of the service rests with the Priest in Charge who will serve as the officiant.  Basically, nothing can be subtracted from the service, but additions can be made in the way or music, readings and exchanges of love composed by the couple. To assure the uniqueness of each service and the participation of the couple in the design and execution of their wedding service, each couple is asked to specify:

· the readings and/or lessons they desire,
· whether or not they desire the Holy Eucharist,
· what music (hymns, processional and recessional music, soloists, etc.) they would like
incorporated and a number of other particulars relating to the conduct of the service.   

“Who may officiate?”

No Episcopal service of Holy Matrimony may be conducted at Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church without the Priest in Charge or other Episcopal clergy as the primary officiants. Clergy of other Christian denominations and non-Christian denominations may participate in the service when that involvement seems justified and invited by the officiant and the priest in charge.  
        
Bridal Consultants or Services:

St Alban’s Altar Guild and officiant are the only bridal consultants at Episcopal Church weddings. Outside professionals will not be utilized by our church. Such persons will gladly be permitted to assist the bridal party prior to the ceremony and seated as guests. They will not be invited to instruct or direct any portion of the rehearsal or ceremony inside the chapel.

“What hours of the day and time of year are best for weddings?”

Weddings are discouraged in Lent and there are no weddings in Holy Week or the seven days prior to Christmas.  Weddings are normally held on Saturday, and only under the rarest circumstances are weddings scheduled for Sundays.  Weddings are generally scheduled from ten in the morning until six in the evening.

“What is involved in the rehearsal?”

This is usually the night before the wedding and most often scheduled at 5:00 P.M., to review the details of the service. The rehearsal lasts about an hour and involves walking the entire wedding party through the wedding service two or three times. Every effort should be made to have all the participants arrive on time for the rehearsal and remain until dismissed by the celebrant.  Prior to the start of the rehearsal, the officiant MUST be presented with a valid Marriage License issued by the State of Texas.

“What about music?”

The couple should contact the parish organist to schedule a consultation which should be held at least two months prior to the wedding.  Music should be selected from the large body of works written for the church.  Music written for non-church use that involves the adoration of God may be used at the organist’s discretion. Outside organists are employed only with the permission of the parish Organist and approval of the officiant.  Choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists may be contracted by the couple in consultation with the Organist and Choir Director.  It is suggested that no musical arrangements should be made prior to the music consultation.  

The officiant’s ceremonial ministry at the wedding does not entail a fixed fee.  It is customary that a personal voluntary honorarium be made payable directly to the officiant after the ceremony.  The suggested amount should be no less than paid to any other church staff member. 

Except for the officiant’s honorarium, the fees above are due not less than seven days prior to the wedding.

Candles

Flowers

All flowers in the church must supplied by the couple and be supervised by the Altar Guild Directress of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.  Except for the Altar Flowers (supplied by the church), all other flowers may be taken by the couple to use at a reception or as they choose.

“What about photography?”

Marriage is a sacred and joyous event and the staff of Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church is very concerned that the man and woman being married are not in any way distracted from its importance.  To help accomplish this goal, flash photography should not take place during the course of the actual service.  The following guidelines are earnestly requested:

1.  Flash or still-light pictures should not be taken during the service.

2.  Flash pictures may be taken in the Green Room (Bride’s Room), parish hall, ante rooms, halls and vestibules or anywhere outside the chapel prior to the service.

3.  During the service, the photographer may take pictures or video in the church using available light.  All such photography should be conducted only after prior consultation with the officiant.  

4.  Exceptions: Flash pictures may be made by anyone at the following times: (1) as the bride and groom are entering or exiting the church in the center aisle. Once the officiant begins the service with the words, “Dearly beloved”, picture-taking by all guests and congregation should cease until (2) after the couple have exchanged their vows and are declared “husband and wife” and (3) at the Exchange of the Peace.

5.  The locations of photographers and video cameramen in the church during the service are to be guided by prior consultation with the officiant.  

6. Photos may be taken in the church after the ceremony and are requested to be limited to 30 minutes from the time the congregation has departed the sanctuary.  It should be remembered that the Altar Guild consists of volunteers and every effort should be made to avoid keeping them waiting to prepare for Sunday worship.  

It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to make these guidelines clear to florists, photographers and all persons involved in the wedding.

Arrival Time

All members of the wedding party should arrive at the church one hour before the scheduled time of the service.  The groom and groomsmen should arrive already dressed.

Conduct

Under no circumstances will consumption of alcoholic beverages be allowed on the premises prior to the wedding service. The simple truth is that even the least bit of alcohol to “calm the nerves” is a mistake and inevitably takes away from the grace and meaning of the service.

Seating

Near the actual hour of the wedding, grandparents of the bride and groom will be seated.  A few minutes before the service, the mother of the groom and then the mother of the bride will be seated.  The seating of the bride’s mother is a sign that the wedding is about to begin.

Procession

The groom’s party (groom, groomsmen and officiant) enters from the side chapel in the front to meet the bridal procession. The bridal party (bridesmaids, bride, and bride’s escort) enters the church successively from the narthex in the rear and proceeds down the center aisle to their appointed places.  The bride enters on the left arm of her father or other designated person.

Standing

The bride’s mother and the rest of the congregation stand when the processional music begins and when the bride enters. The congregation will sit, stand, or kneel at appropriate times throughout the service, under the direction of the officiant.

Ushers

Ushers should arrive at the church not less than one hour before the service. Ushers are expected to expedite the seating of guests. As one faces the altar, the seating on the left of the center aisle is often referred to as the bride’s side of the church; the groom’s side is on the right.  Unless a guest requests seating on a specific side, ushers are asked to seat persons on either side, filling the pews toward the front first. An usher normally offers his right arm to the woman in a party.  Her escort follows them.   

Specific ushers need to be assigned to seat family members, and specifically the mothers of the bride and groom, and, if desired, to escort them out of the church after the service. After the seating of the bride’s mother, no one is to be escorted to a seat.  Latecomers are directed to use the side aisles to enter quietly and find a place near the back of the church. Ushers may also assist in the Holy Eucharist by indicating when persons may approach the altar for Communion.

License: Important!  The State License, issued by the Civil Authority, must be obtained by the couple at least three days prior to the wedding and not more than 30 days prior to the wedding.  The Priest must receive the License at the rehearsal which will then be signed by witnesses and the officiant after the wedding ceremony and mailed to the Civil Authority.    Details from the License will be recorded by the civil Authority and the License mailed back to the couple at the address recorded on the License.

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

Flower girls and ring bearers are permitted, but they should be at least four years of age.

Service Leaflets

The printing of service leaflets is the couple’s responsibility, but the priest in charge will be happy to assist with examples, layout and content.