Sacraments

The Book of Common Prayer is the book of worship for the Episcopal Church. It defines a sacrament as an outward and visible sign of an inward abiding grace. Sacraments are rituals that use tangible symbols such as water and bread and wine to mark special moments of God’s work in our lives. The seven sacraments, in somewhat chronological order, are Holy Baptism, the Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Healing, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent and Ordination.

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the rite of full initiation into the Church. The outward and visible sign of Baptism is water which is both a means of being made clean and a source of life itself. Water is either poured on the candidate’s head or the candidate is immersed in a pool or other body of water. In and through Baptism we are adopted as sons and daughters in the kingdom of God.

Baptism is administered in the context of the Sunday Eucharist. Candidates for baptism are infants and young children of members of the parish and older children and adults who desire to make a mature and public commitment to the Christian faith. Each candidate for Holy Baptism is generally sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Classes for parents and available godparents of infants and children precede each baptism date.

Confirmation

Confirmation, as defined in The Book of Common Prayer is “a mature public affirmation of faith and commitment to the responsibilities of Baptism.” At Confirmation, an individual receives the laying on of hands by the bishop, thereby affirming their faith and connection to the broader Body of Christ. Ideally, candidates for confirmation should be at least 16 years old. Please contact a member of the clergy if you have questions about the process or you think you might be interested in taking this important step at this time.

Weddings

The outward and visible sign of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony is the couple themselves. At Christ the King, Holy Matrimony is available to couples where either the bride or groom is a baptized member in good standing of the parish (active in worship for six months prior to request). A personal interview with the Rector is necessary before a date is entered on the calendar or other plans may progress for any wedding. A minimum notice of 60 days (90 days for divorced persons) is required to set a wedding date. It is advisable to contact the church six to nine months in advance of your desired wedding date. Weddings are not performed during Lent or Advent.

For more detailed information about weddings at Christ the King, please see the parish Wedding Customary.