WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS & FUNERALS
WEDDINGS
Christ Church offers weddings for active members of the parish and Episcopalians from other areas. If you are new to the church, we welcome your presence, and we expect that you will become a part of our community as you prepare for your wedding.
The Book of Common Prayer states that the “bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation” and that marriage is “not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.” Therefore, premarital guidance sessions are required with a member of the clergy prior to the wedding.
All weddings at Christ Church are celebrated using the Book of Common Prayer. Click here to read the marriage liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. Weddings are scheduled on the church calendar only after a conversation with the church office and one of the clergy. The outdoor chapel is a consecrated space and therefore falls under the same set of rules and expectations as weddings in the church. It is not available to "rent."
For more information, download the Wedding Information Booklet, as well as the required Wedding Application. The Booklet contains detailed information about expectations, requirements, and costs. Please contact the Clergy if you have any questions. The Wedding Application should only be submitted after you have spoken to a member of the clergy of Christ Church.
WE DO NOT RENT OUT SPACE, INCLUDING THE OUTDOOR CHAPEL, FOR WEDDINGS. THE PARAMETERS FOR WEDDINGS ARE THE SAME WHETHER IT IS INDOORS OR OUTDOORS. ALL WEDDINGS ARE OFFICIATED BY A CLERGY OF CHRIST CHURCH. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE RECTOR MAY APPROVE ANOTHER EPISCOPAL PRIEST TO OFFICIATE.
BAPTISMS
Baptism is the rite by which persons are made full members of the church. Using water and the name of the Trinity, Baptism initiates individuals not as Episcopalians, but as Christians. An Episcopal baptism is recognized by almost all other Christian denominations.
In the our tradition, a person may be baptized at any age. Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, especially on those days (such as All Saints, Pentecost and the First Sunday after the Epiphany) when the meaning of baptism can be particularly highlighted. On baptismal Sundays, we offer baptism during any of our regularly scheduled worship services, so that individuals or families may choose the service they attend most often. A class and a rehearsal are scheduled with the officiating clergy before each baptism to prepare parents and godparents.
Adults participate in classes to prepare them for the sacrament. Adult baptism is most appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the first service of Easter day, but can happen at other times, too.
Whether for a child or an adult, baptism is “the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.” (from the Book of Common Prayer, page 858)
To arrange baptism for yourself or your child, call the church office at 252.633.2109 and ask to speak with one of the clergy. You can find the Baptism application form here.
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FUNERALS
Preparing for Christian burial is a profoundly important ministry for the church. One does not need to be a member of the church to be buried at the church. To obtain information regarding end-of-life decisions, including funeral planning, please contact the clergy. They can provide you with documents to help you with this process.
Please be in touch with the Church office (252.633.2109) to report the death of a loved one. We are glad to offer our prayers and work with family members to make arrangements for burial services. As people of faith, we know that Christ’s Easter victory has overcome death, but we are still aware of the challenges, difficulties, and loss at such times. If it is after normal office hours, please follow the voicemail prompts to leave a message for one of the clergy.
Burial in the Historic Church Yard
Burial plots are available at Christ Church, as well. To pre-arrange a space for your cremated remains in the churchyard, call the Director of Church Life at 252.631.5863.
