Life Events

Baptism is one of the most important sacraments of the Church.  It is the initiatory rite of the Christian community.  Through Baptism we are adopted by God into God's family, called the Church, and sealed as Christ's own, forever.

Holy Baptism is administered to individuals of any age (infancy to adulthood) who have not been previously baptized in any other Christian denomination.   (If someone is joining the Episcopal Church from another denomination, their baptism in that denomination is recognized.)  

To find out more --

• Contact our Rector to ask questions.
• Read Guidelines for Baptism and an outline for the Baptism Service in the Book of Common Prayer.

Confirmation is an opportunity for those who are baptized as infants, children or adults to make a public confession and commitment to the Christian faith. Confirmation is an Episcopal service - that is, it requires a bishop to be present.  As a result, it is usually held only once a year, as bishops usually visit each church in the state once a year.  Sometimes a combined confirmation service is held with other, nearby churches.

To find out more --

• Contact our Rector to ask questions.
• Read about Confirmation and an outline for the Confirmation Service in the Book of Common Prayer

"Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Colossians 3:13

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant made between two people in the presence of God.  It is a sacred ritual that acknowledges and celebrates the desire to enter a lifelong relationship.  Marriage is a sacrament - an outward and visible sign of God's grace bringing those involved together and nurturing their love.

To be married at St. Mary's Church, it is expected that at least one of the persons desiring to be married, or their parents or family, is a registered member of St. Mary's in good standing having given financial support of record.

On occasion, when neither the bride or groom is a member of St. Mary's, the clergy may agree to officiate at their marriage if,  in their judgment, the couple has begun to worship regularly and intend to make St. Mary's their church home. The primary concern of the clergy is for the couple's continuing relationship to the parish community and their spiritual growth after their marriage. Requests from non-Episcopalians to "use" or "rent the church" cannot be honored.

To find out more --

• about an Episcopal Marriage ceremony, read these guidelines from the Book of Common Prayer.
• Contact our Rector to ask questions.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

The Episcopal Church has a beautiful funeral service that celebrates the life of the one who died while honoring the grief and sadness that attends any death.  If you want to arrange for a funeral for someone, please contact our Rector, who will work with you to craft a funeral that will honor the life of the person you loved and lost.  

At the request of the family, clergy from other churches may be invited to take part in a funeral or memorial service. An invitation to participate will be extended by the clergy of St. Mary's

To find out more --

• about an Episcopal funeral service, read these guidelines from The Book of Common Prayer.
• Contact our Rector to ask questions.