Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God
accepts us as his children and makes us members of
Christ's Body. Baptism is available at any
time for children or adults with instruction
required of Godparents and all adults to be
baptized. The Rector asks that a minimum of
thirty days notice be given for preparation and
instruction. The sacrament of Baptism is
administered on Sunday mornings as part of the
congregation's weekly celebration of the Holy
Eucharist.
There are five days in the church year that are
recommended as times to administer the sacrament of
Baptism: Easter (Vigil), Pentecost, the First Sunday
after the Epiphany, All Saint's Day, and on the day
when the Bishop makes his annual visitation to our
church.
Confirmation is the sacrament where older
children and adults declare and affirm before a
Bishop the vows made for them at their baptism and
take on adult responsibility for the life and
mission of the Church. The Bishop lays hands
on each candidate and prays for God to give them the
grace they need for the living of the life of
Christ. All adult members are expected to
present themselves for Confirmation by the
Bishop. Instruction is provided annually for
those interested in presenting themselves for
Confirmation on the day of the Bishop's annual
visitation to Grace Church.
Reception into the Episcopal Church is a
sacramental rite for baptized Christians who have
been confirmed in other denominations by a bishop in
apostolic succession (Roman Catholic, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, or Eastern Orthodox) and
wish to be received into the Episcopal Church by the
Bishop. Those who have been baptized and confirmed
in the Episcopal Church but for some special reason
wish to re-commit themselves to the life of faith
may also choose to reaffirm their baptismal covenant
with the Bishop.
Those desiring to be married in the Church are
required to take instruction and counsel, as well
as, to fulfill the requirements of a thirty-day
waiting period prescribed by the Canons of the
Church. Where one or both of the couple have
been previously married and divorced, permission
from the Bishop to be married must be secured
after counsel with the Rector, which will require
more than thirty days.
All details need to be worked out with the
Rector or other clergy in advance so that there be
no conflict in scheduling. The Rector will consult
with the couple to assist with the logistics for
this important event in their lives.
There are no fees required for the services of
the clergy, but gifts to the Rector's
Discretionary Fund are welcomed. Couples are
asked to make a thank-offering to an institution
of their choice, be it the Church or a charity of
good work, as an expression of their gratitude to
God. Fees may be required for the services
of musicians, the sexton, and the use of church facilities
by non-members.
For more information about weeding guidelines,
consult "The Sacrament of Matrimony at
Grace Church," a booklet that provides
specific information about wedding policies and
traditions at Grace Church.
