Baptism:
Baptism, according to the Book of Common Prayer: “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.” Bcp,298
As Anglicans, we believe that baptism brings a person into the Christian family. Baptism is incorporated into regular worship services on specified Sundays during the year and occasionally at other times. Because baptism is the outward and visible action that connects a person to God in a covenant relationship, it belongs in public worship, rather than private ceremony. Baptism does not make you a member of St. Mary’s, but rather a member of the larger, universal church of Christ.
Burial:
One of the privileges of life in the church is to stand with people at points in their lives where there is sorrow and loss, and in each encounter to meet and honor the particularity of life and death. We do that within the context of scripture and The Book of Common Prayer, relying on the rich and reassuring language of the tradition to help us express what can be so difficult.
At St. Mary’s we are always ready to offer prayers for someone who has died. A small gathering of friends to read scripture, say prayers, and give thanks for a life is as much a possibility as a large, formal funeral. Funerals, whether large or small, often include the Eucharist, and there is frequently music. There are no fees for funerals. We also offer space for family and friends to receive people before and after a funeral. Often this takes the form of a period of visitation during the evening before the funeral. It gives people the opportunity to greet family members and friends, to share food and to offer a prayer before the coffin or urn in the church. Or there may be a reception after the service.
Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation:
CONFIRMATION in the Episcopal Church is the rite provided in The Book of Common Prayer for baptized persons who are ready and prepared to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith (In other words, to say for yourself what others may have said for you at baptism). Confirmation is not required for church membership, but it is a significant, public way to affirm your connection to the church. At confirmation the bishop prays that that the Lord will “empower you for his service and sustain you all the days of your life.”
RECEPTION into the Episcopal Church is for baptized persons who have made a mature public affirmation of their faith in another denomination. They are presented to our bishop, who acknowledges their prior status and receives them into the Episcopal Church with these words: “We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion.”
REAFFIRMATION is for Episcopalians who are refreshing or renewing their membership in the church. They are presented to the bishop who prays that “the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, may direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom.”
Marriage:
The church is much more than a nice place to hold a wedding. We take the sacrament of marriage seriously. Every couple preparing to be married at St. Mary’s receives counseling from a member of the clergy, who helps shift the premarital focus from wedding logistics to the deep, long-view questions that need to be asked and explored. Couples contemplating marriage at St. Mary’s will be asked to complete the Wedding Customary information and application. St. Mary’s is a fully affirming church that celebrates marriage for everyone without exception.