Baptism, Marriage, Burial

To discuss a baptism, wedding, or funeral, please call the church at (410) 647-6248 for further information.

Baptism

Baptism in the Christian tradition is a joyful initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church.  God establishes an abiding bond with each person in baptism.  God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (BCP, pp. 298, 858).  In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins.

Because baptism asks a congregation to do all in their power to support the persons baptized in living out their life in Christ, church membership is a requirement.
 

Marriage

This is the sacramental rite of the church in which a couple "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). The 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 (BCP, p. 423).

In effect, a couple brings their hopes for their union to be blessed by God; in turn, God returns that marriage to the couple for their care in honoring the vows & promises they make.  Again, because those witnessing their vows are asked to uphold the two persons in their marriage, church membership is a requirement.
 

Burial

The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy of resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised.  The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.  (BCP, p. 507)  Membership is not a requirement for burial in the Christian tradition.