BAPTISM
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. It is the sacrament of entry into the Christian life, and is offered to persons of any age. Older children and adults affirm a baptismal covenant for themselves at their baptism, and infants have sponsors or godparents who speak on their behalf, promising to see that the child being baptized is brought up in the Christian faith and life.
We celebrate baptism on appointed Sundays throughout the Church Year as part of our Sunday morning Eucharists. For more information about Holy Baptism, or to begin the process of instruction for yourself or for your child, contact The Rev. Murdock Jones (cmjones@stpaulschatt.org).
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation and Reception into the Episcopal Church are rooted in the Baptismal Covenant. Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which a person makes a mature commitment to Christ and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Our bishop, The Right Reverend Brian Cole, confirms and receives new members into the Episcopal Church, after a period of study and prayer with the parish clergy, during his annual visitation to St. Paul’s which normally takes place in the winter of each year. There are classes of preparation for confirmation for youth (8th grade and up) and for adults. Contact the Rev. Murdock Jones (cmjones@stpaulschatt.org) for more information.
WEDDINGS
Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between two people in the presence of God. In The Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must 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 this Church.
Members of St. Paul’s Church are given priority in the use of the Church for their weddings, but we invite other couples interested in being married here to have a conversation with us. Contact Rev. Brad Whitaker (whitaker@stpaulschatt.org) for more information.
FUNERALS
According to the Book of Common Prayer, “the death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with, the Minister of the Congregation. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church.”
The burial of Christians who have died in the hope of the resurrection is an integral part of our work as a community of faith. We invite members of the parish to discuss their burial plans with a member of the clergy at any time, since having plans on file makes the time of death less stressful for family members. Contact Rev. Brad Whitaker (whitaker@stpaulschatt.org) to schedule a conversation.