Baptisms, Weddings, & Funerals

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. Baptism invites the person being baptized (infant, child, or adult) into communion with God and Christians across the church. At Grace baptism is held publicly on holy days throughout the year. Baptism is not just agreeing to an intellectual proposition, nor is it joining a club or organization. It is incorporation into God’s own life. At baptism, the person being baptized or representatives on their behalf makes certain renunciations and promises.

In marriage two people “enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows” (Book of Common Prayer pg. 861). Grace Church offers weddings in our Santuary or Chapel performed by a Grace priest or visiting prince.

Funerals in the Episcopal tradition leave space for grieving and celebration of those we have lost, as we remember the promise of resurrection.

“The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace[…]” ( The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 857). In the sacraments we meet Jesus’ grace in our lives today. The Episcopal Church recognizes two sacraments, Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist (also known as Communion), and five sacramental rites, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination, Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), and Unction (the anointing of the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands). At Grace Church we participate in Communion each week. Baptism is the introduction of new members into the church on holy days throughout the year. Funerals are not a sacrament, but an important ritual to mark the passing of life into death.