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Baptisms.
Baptisms are celebrated during the major worship service on specific Sundays throughout the Church year. The full community of faith participates in the initiation rite and welcomes the newly baptized into the Body of Christ. Parishioners who are interested in having a child baptized, or are interested in being baptized themselves, should contact the Parish Office as soon in advance of a desired date as possible. Traditional dates for Baptism are the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (January), The Great Vigil of Easter (March), Pentecost (May) and the Sunday following All Saints Day (November). |
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Confirmation.
Confirmation is making a mature public affirmation of faith as an adult. If you were baptized as a child but have never affirmed the faith of your childhood as your own in your adult life, confirmation will be the route through which you can join Christ Church. In Confirmation the Bishop prays that you will receive gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry. It is first and foremost a sacrament of empowerment for service or “ordination” to the laity. Confirmation also serves as a rite of membership in the Episcopal Church and in our parish in particular. Adults wishing to be confirmed may attend classes during the season of Lent. A two year program of preparation exists for children in seventh and eighth grade. |
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Marriage.
Weddings at Christ Church are joyous events in the life of the parish. Either the bride or the groom must be baptized and three pre-marital counseling sessions with the officiating clergy person are required. We anticipate that, barring special circumstances, the couple to be married will worship regularly at Christ Church before and after the wedding. Explanations regarding the use of the church, fees, flowers, photography and other matters are outlined in a Wedding Information Sheet available from the Parish Office. |
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Funerals and Memorial Services.
We grieve the death of our loved ones even though, as Christians, we believe death is the gateway to a larger life in Christ. The gathered community at a funeral or memorial service stands “shoulder-to-shoulder with the bereaved” and affirms the ongoing life of those who have died. Services can be quickly and easily arranged by contacting the Parish Office and speaking with the clergy. An information sheet about the Funeral Service is also available from the Parish Office.
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Pastoral Care
Christ Church is a caring community. Both clergy and trained laypersons in our parish work to make sure that one-to-one Christian care is provided to parishioners who face crises and challenges, as well as to parishioners who are ill or hospitalized, homebound or in a care or rehabilitation facility. Any parishioner who knows of someone who could benefit from a call or a visit from either clergy or lay pastors, or who wishes to have the Sacrament brought to them, should contact the Parish Office or speak to one of the clergy. |
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