Baptism, confirmation, weddings and funeral/memorial services take place at times of transition that are blessed by the community here at St. Paul’s. Please contact us directly by phone or email to make arrangements.
Weddings
The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage is an expression of Christian community in which a couple makes their vows before God and the Church, and the priest blesses the marriage on behalf of the Church. If you are not a member of St. Paul’s, call to make an appointment to meet our priest to discuss the celebration of your marriage in our Church.
Normally, the clergy of the parish preside at the celebration of marriages in that parish.
Marriages are not traditionally celebrated in Advent and in Lent.
Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. When you choose to be baptized yourself or to have your child baptized in the Episcopal Church, it means you are choosing to live out the Baptismal Covenant in the context of an Episcopal church community, taking your part in the worship, mission and ministries of the local parish. Baptism is open to all people, regardless of age or background.
If you feel called to be baptized, or to have your child baptized, the first steps are to talk to our priest in charge about baptism and to undertake some formal and intentional preparation. That preparation should include study of the Baptismal Covenant and what it contains, and what it can mean for your life.
It is not necessary that a candidate for baptism fully understand nor be comfortable with every word of the Christian Creeds and doctrines from the outset, but rather be ready to embark on the rich path of discovery into the way, truth and life of Jesus Christ.
Confirmation for Those Baptized in Other Denominations
If you are new to the Episcopal Church and have already been baptized in another denomination, you may wish to renew your faith life. If this is the case, you may be Received or Confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Wherever you come from and whatever your faith background, the Episcopal Church welcomes you!
Funerals
Christian burial is both a celebration of life and a sacrament of comfort to the bereaved. Please report the deather as soon as possible to the clergy of the parish, our priest, so that arrangements for burial can be made.
In the case that a child has died, the Episcopal Church has a particular service which addresses such special needs. Christian burials are customarily held in the church, but for pastoral reasons may be held at the funeral home or graveside.
If cremation is to take place it is customary for the ashes to be present at the service.
Memorial Services
A Memorial service may take place weeks, months or a year after death has occurred. All arrangements for the services are made in consultation with the priest.