Celebrations
Baptisms, Weddings, & Funerals
Holy Baptism
Holy Baptism is initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. In baptism, God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person baptized; and through baptism, all Christians (no matter their denomination, or the generation during which they have lived) are made one. This sacred unity is underscored in the opening words of The Episcopal Church’s baptismal rite:
There is one Body and one Spirit;
There is one hope in God’s call to us;
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
One God and Father of all. (Ephesians 4:4)
The Baptismal covenant includes the following questions:
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
We believe that to answer these questions truthfully and with understanding requires a period of preparation and formation in the Christian life and community.
Parents of children to be baptized along with older children and adults seeking to be baptized are asked to participate in a formation program that emphasizes the experience of prayer, Scriptural reflection and the ministry of the people prior to receiving the Sacrament. Baptisms can take place during congregational worship, or other venues (including outdoors). Days especially appropriate for baptism are Easter, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint’s Sunday and the Celebration of Jesus’ Baptism (The First Sunday after the Epiphany), as well as when need warrants.
Please contact our priest to discuss baptism for yourself or your child.
Weddings & Wedding Vow Renewal
If you are recently engaged, congratulations on your engagement! If you are seeking to prepare for your marriage it will be our honor to speak to you about seeking God’s blessing on your life together. We will do all we can to help you in your preparations for your marriage. An important aspect of exchanging vows in an Episcopal Church is that the congregation, those in attendance, are there to support you not only on your wedding day but during your life together. We take seriously that part of the wedding liturgy which asks those gathered, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their life together?” The answer is a bold, “We will!” Therefore, it is important that if you desire to exchange your vows at Holy Cross you make it your parish home or if you are visiting from somewhere else that you are an active part of a congregation at home. This church and diocese blesses same-sex marriages and we are honored to marry any LGBTQ+ couple just as we marry other couples. We also understand and respect that one member of the couple may be from a different faith tradition. In that case, it will be important to talk with the priest about how your life together will honor both of your religious backgrounds.
Weddings can take place at the church or in a different venue. It is helpful to have at least four months to plan appropriately. However, in cases where time is limited (i.e., a military deployment is imminent, or when one or more of the married couple is terminally ill), the priest will try to make arrangements to meet the couple’s needs.
While personalized vows are welcome, the language of the wedding itself conforms to the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
The Episcopal Church supports remarriage after divorce.
Wedding Vow Renewal
Each Sunday during worship, we invite any couples celebrating a wedding anniversary to come forward for a prayer of blessing.
At milestones of married life, custom services are also available. For more information, please contact the priest.
Funerals and Celebrations of Life
Because Holy Cross is a relatively small church, there is a deeply personal aspect to our ministry to one another in times of joy and of sorrow. This is no more true than when we reach out to those who are bereaved, and assist loved ones in planning celebrations of life for departed loved ones.
It is common in Episcopal tradition for a family to notify a priest when a loved one is near death. If possible, the priest or pastoral caregiver goes to the place where the loved one is dying to say prayers at the time of death, and to comfort those who mourn.
Funerals are scheduled by the priest-in-charge, and he/she will work with the family in the planning of burial services. Most burials and “celebrations of life” conform to the language of our prayerbook, called The Book of Common Prayer. It offers both traditional and contemporary rites of worship that can be custom-fit for persons who were active members of the Church and for those who weren’t baptized Christian. We are all God’s people.
At the time of funeral planning, loved ones are invited to meet with the clergy to choose Scripture readings, prayers, and music that would honor their loved one in a context of sacred thanksgiving. Usually a short homily (sermon) will be offered by clergy, and we also welcome reflections offered by family members and friends. If a family would like to have a clergy person present at burial only, a Rite of Committal can be held at a columbarium (cremains), a cemetery (casket), or at the scattering of ashes.
There is no charge for funerals at Holy Cross. We take seriously the responsibility of walking with God’s people in rites of life passage. If a reception is held after a funeral, a fee is charged for use of the social room.
For more information, please contact the Church Office