Celebrations
Baptisms
Holy Baptism is initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. The Church baptizes new members in obedience to Christ’s command to his disciples, and in order to maintain a vital link with Jesus, who was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (noted in the four gospels: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23, John 1:29-33).
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)
In the early Church, adult catechumens prepared for baptism for three years, and were baptized early on Easter morning. Men and women were immersed in water on different sides of a lake, and after baptism, each person was dressed in a robe. In the Episcopal Church, the time of preparation for baptism is about three months. During the baptism, each person (infant, child or adult) is sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors speak on behalf of infants or younger children, and older children and adults speak on their own behalf. Members of the congregation also renew their baptismal covenant, and promise to support those being baptized in their spiritual lives. Baptism is the foundation for all future participation and ministry in the Church.
Baptisms can take place during congregational worship, or in homes or other venues (including outdoors). Days especially appropriate for baptism are Easter, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint’s Day and the Celebration of Jesus’ Baptism. In emergencies (when death is imminent), any baptized member of the church can perform baptism.
Weddings & Wedding Vow Renewal
In today’s world, many forces seek to pull us apart, and yet our promises and pledges bind us together. Faith communities can play a helpful and necessary role in supporting God’s people in keeping covenants of all kinds. To this end, Holy Cross offers
Pre-marital counseling for weddings officiated by our clergy
Christian weddings
Interfaith weddings
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 Vicar 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.
In the Name of God, I, _________, take you, ________, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
Depending on the couple’s wishes and needs, the language can be adapted appropriately.
The Episcopal Church supports remarriage after divorce. In the case of remarriage after one or more of the couple have been previously divorced, at least six months is required for the priest to meet with the couple, and to seek consent from the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to officiate at the wedding.
Wedding Vow Renewal
Each Sunday during worship, we invite any couples celebrating a wedding anniversary to come forward for a prayer of blessing.
On or near Valentine’s Day, we gather as a community, inviting married couples from the church and greater community to renew their wedding vows in a warm and informal setting. The clergy guide each couple individually in renewing their wedding vows according to a simple form, followed by a blessing. This is a come and go event that usually takes less than one hour.
At milestones of married life, custom services are also available. It is helpful to have at least two months to plan for a wedding vow renewal. However, in cases where time is limited (i.e., a military deployment is imminent or one or more of the married couple is terminally ill), the Vicar will work to meet the couple’s needs.
For more information, please contact the Vicar.
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 Vicar (priest-in-charge), and associate clergy and pastoral caregivers share in the ministration at the time of death and 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. The casket or urn, when present, is covered with a white cloth called a pall. White signifies the burial worship is an Easter service, and the pall itself is a reminder that we all are mortal, regardless of our earthly station in life. The large Easter candle called the Paschal candle is lit as a visible reminder of Jesus’ resurrection, and our hope of life everlasting in God. Usually one of the clergy offers a short sermon, 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.