Baptism
Baptism at Church of the Epiphany
Baptism is the full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Reign of God (from our Book of Common Prayer).
In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant.
The water of baptism at Church of the Epiphany are administered by pouring water on the head of the person being baptized. Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism oil (olive oil blessed by the bishop) is used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast.
The Catechism (in the Book of Common Prayer) notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (Book of Common Prayer).
Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter), the Day of Pentecost (about 7 weeks after Easter), All Saint's Day (close to November 1) or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 6).
For more information, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Baptism is the full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Reign of God (from our Book of Common Prayer).
In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant.
The water of baptism at Church of the Epiphany are administered by pouring water on the head of the person being baptized. Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism oil (olive oil blessed by the bishop) is used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast.
The Catechism (in the Book of Common Prayer) notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (Book of Common Prayer).
Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter), the Day of Pentecost (about 7 weeks after Easter), All Saint's Day (close to November 1) or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 6).
For more information, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Marriage
Weddings at Church of the Epiphany
We believe that marriage is entered into as a life-long union, and vows are made in the presence of God and the Church. The Episcopal Church believes that this union is understood to be intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord (from our Book of Common Prayer).
In a Declaration of Consent, both persons promise to love, comfort, honor, and keep their spouse, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to their spouse as long as they both live (Book of Common Prayer).
The congregation witnesses the couple's promises, and the members of the congregation promise to do all in their power to uphold the couple in their marriage.
At the Marriage, the couple may pledge their lives to each other by the giving and receiving of rings as symbols of their vows. When desired, other appropriate symbols of their vows may be used instead of rings.
In the Episcopal Church it is required that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian, that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses, and that the marriage conform to the laws of the state and the canons of the church.
The member of the clergy who will solemnize the marriage typically meets with the couple on several occasions prior to the service to discuss the meaning of Christian marriage in the couple's life.
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.
For more information and fees, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Funeral
Funerals at Church of the Epiphany
Funerals are arranged with the family to celebrate the life and death of a loved one. An Episcopal service typically includes anthems, psalms, scripture readings, and prayers. The Book of Common Prayer provides both traditional and contemporary liturgies. Communion at the Burial of the Dead is recommended as a means of sharing in the risen life of Christ. A commendation of the deceased to God’s care is at the end of the service.
The burial rites also include the Apostles' Creed, a special form of the prayers of the people, forms for the consecration of the grave, and additional prayers that may be added after the Lord's Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer also provides an Order for Burial which permits the composition of a rite to suit particular circumstances as deemed appropriate by the family and priest.
The burial office is an Easter liturgy. The liturgical color is appropriately white, and the Paschal candle should be lighted as a visible reminder of Jesus' resurrection and our hope of life everlasting in Christ. At the Burial of the Dead those who mourn may express grief and sorrow as they share in the community's expression of faith, hope, and mutual support in Jesus Christ.
There is also a service available for a person who is not baptized or has rejected the Christian faith.
For more information and fees, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Funerals are arranged with the family to celebrate the life and death of a loved one. An Episcopal service typically includes anthems, psalms, scripture readings, and prayers. The Book of Common Prayer provides both traditional and contemporary liturgies. Communion at the Burial of the Dead is recommended as a means of sharing in the risen life of Christ. A commendation of the deceased to God’s care is at the end of the service.
The burial rites also include the Apostles' Creed, a special form of the prayers of the people, forms for the consecration of the grave, and additional prayers that may be added after the Lord's Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer also provides an Order for Burial which permits the composition of a rite to suit particular circumstances as deemed appropriate by the family and priest.
The burial office is an Easter liturgy. The liturgical color is appropriately white, and the Paschal candle should be lighted as a visible reminder of Jesus' resurrection and our hope of life everlasting in Christ. At the Burial of the Dead those who mourn may express grief and sorrow as they share in the community's expression of faith, hope, and mutual support in Jesus Christ.
There is also a service available for a person who is not baptized or has rejected the Christian faith.
For more information and fees, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Burial
Epiphany has two gardens for the interment of ashes. The All Saints Memorial Garden, adjacent to the church, and the Woodland Memorial Garden, nestled in the woods below the church building. For more information and fees, please contact: COTE@epix.net
Join the Episcopal Church
How to become an Episcopalian
If you are baptized as a Christian, you are welcome to attend, worship, participate, receive sacraments at Church of the Epiphany.
If you are not yet a baptized Christian, please see the information about Baptism. You are welcome to attend, ask questions, join in fun activities!
If you decide to join the Episcopal Church, the priest will offer a time of learning, talking, questioning what it means to be an Episcopalian. There are many resources available on-line also.
Joining the church means when the bishop celebrates Eucharist at Church of the Epiphany, special prayers will be offered for those who wish to become members the bishop, priest and Vestry will welcome you!
The expectations of members include: attending worship regularly, giving financial support generously to the parish (as you are able). There are also many ways to serve in this family: as a reader, a chalice bearer (serving the wine), helping set the altar, writing checks/counting money, serving on Vestry (board of directors), leading children’s worship, teaching Sunday School, and many more ways to be involved in the worshiping community, and serving the broader community. All are welcome!
For more information, please contact: COTE@epix.net
If you are baptized as a Christian, you are welcome to attend, worship, participate, receive sacraments at Church of the Epiphany.
If you are not yet a baptized Christian, please see the information about Baptism. You are welcome to attend, ask questions, join in fun activities!
If you decide to join the Episcopal Church, the priest will offer a time of learning, talking, questioning what it means to be an Episcopalian. There are many resources available on-line also.
Joining the church means when the bishop celebrates Eucharist at Church of the Epiphany, special prayers will be offered for those who wish to become members the bishop, priest and Vestry will welcome you!
The expectations of members include: attending worship regularly, giving financial support generously to the parish (as you are able). There are also many ways to serve in this family: as a reader, a chalice bearer (serving the wine), helping set the altar, writing checks/counting money, serving on Vestry (board of directors), leading children’s worship, teaching Sunday School, and many more ways to be involved in the worshiping community, and serving the broader community. All are welcome!
For more information, please contact: COTE@epix.net
