WEDDINGS

Holy Matrimony

The sacramental rite of the church in which two persons “enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows” (BCP, p. 861). Couples desiring to be married or have their relationship blessed (if married in a secular ceremony) at the Church of the Atonement must submit a completed Marriage Application at least four months prior to the requested date of the ceremony. One person of the couple to be married must be a baptized Christian. When one of the parties has been previously married and divorced, the consent of the diocesan bishop must be obtained prior to solemnization of the marriage.


Other Information:

  • Couples are required to participate in a four-week preparation course with the Rector

  • The liturgy used is from approved resources of The Episcopal Church

  • Weddings are not offered during the season of Lent

  • Ceremonies at other locations can be negotiated with the Rector

Marriage Application          WEDDING FEES

Baptisms

Baptism for Children and Adults

Through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, we become united in with Christ in his death and resurrection, born into God’s family the Church, and gain new life in the Holy Spirit. We baptize people of all ages. Because baptism is one’s initiation into the Christian community and is a way of life, we prefer families planning to baptize a child to regularly participate in worship at the Church of the Atonement prior to the baptism. Parents, and sponsors if available, meet with our priest prior to the baptism to gain a better understanding of the meaning and purpose of baptism and the role of parents and sponsors.


All baptisms take place in the context of our regularly scheduled services around the following feast days: Baptism of our Lord (January), Great Vigil of Easter, Sunday after Easter, Pentecost, All Saints’ Sunday (November), Christ the King Sunday (November), and a few other weekends throughout the year. Please contact the Parish Office to determine the next available date.


Baptisms may take place at the 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. Sunday service.


Baptism Application        BAPTISMAL CUSTOMS


Funerals

Celebration of Life

As Christians, we know that death does not have the final word. Through God’s grace, Jesus has conquered death forever. Funerals are among the times that we as Christians do the task of the Church the best. We comfort one another in our grief, we gather in community, and we proclaim Christ crucified and risen. A Christian funeral is not a tribute to how wonderful you were, but instead it publicly affirms the saving power of God, as demonstrated in your life. We tell how God’s story interacts with your story. Baptismal imagery is important because it reminds us of God’s saving deeds. As Paul writes in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

 

Please see the Funeral Planning Guide for more information.


Funeral Information      FEES FOR BURIALS AND MEMORIALS