Life Events

Baptisms and Confirmation

Holy Baptism

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to become my disciple, let them deny themselves and take up their cross an follow me.”  Through this very candid invitation, Jesus invites us into a life of active faith through the transformation of our entire being.  Indeed, the Greek, metanoia is to change one’s heart and mind.  As Christians we seek to follow in the footsteps of the one who showed us in words and deeds what it means to be a disciple, a child of God, God’s beloved.   At Christ Church Cathedral, we strive to enter further into our relationship with God and each other in ways that honor the various ways our faith is expressed within the Christian tradition and seek opportunities to discern and live out God’s call to us.  

HOLY BAPTISM

Being, Growing & Living in The Way of Love

“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble”
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).

Life Events: Holy Baptism ⸻

Entering the risen life of Christ:

Initiation: The act of Christian Baptism is an ancient sacramental rite that spiritually cleanses and welcomes new members into the community of Jesus Christ. It is so foundational to our faith that the baptismal font is what is first seen as we enter our church and as we leave to return to the world.

It is with great joy that we welcome new Christians into the body of Christ and into the life of Church through sacrament of Holy Baptism.  Baptism is the most important of the sacraments as it is the only way in which one becomes a Christian, marked as Christ’s own forever, and in a sinful and broken world that is in desperate need of the love of God and the good news of God in Christ, Christ Church Cathedral seeks to provide individual and families with the spiritual tools and support they will need throughout their journey of faith.

If you would like to learn more about entering the Christian faith as member of the Episcopal Church, please call or email the Cathedral Office.

Below are the guidelines for being baptized at Christ Church Cathedral:

Candidates for Holy Baptism:

  • In addition, the sacrament of Holy Baptism is celebrated on four occasions in the church year: the Sunday after Epiphany (early January); the Easter Vigil (the Saturday night before Easter); Pentecost (in late May/early June); and the Sunday after All Saints Day (November 1st. Additional Baptisms may take place at the discretion of the Dean at either the 8:00 am, 10:00 am, or 12:00 pm service.
  • For the baptism of infants and small children, preparation with the Clergy on staff is required.
  • For adult baptism, we recommend baptism at the Easter Vigil, with participation in our intensive formation process known as the Catechumenate.
  • All candidates for Baptism must be attendees/members of the Church for a period of 1-3 months.  Prior to the actual baptism, all candidates must meet with the rector prior to baptismal date (to be determined by the Dean-Rector).
Baptism Planning Form 

Private baptisms are prohibited, unless under special circumstances which is to be determined by the Dean-Rector.

Life Events: Confirmation ⸻

Confirmation

Confirmation is a pastoral rite in The Episcopal Church, which means it is not a rite that notes some fuller initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ. A person is a full member of the Church through Baptism. 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 own faith and visibly connecting to the broader Body of Christ. Those desiring to be confirmed must be baptized, at least 12 years of age and have completed a course of instruction.  

We are so happy that you have said “Yes!” to God’s call, and are interested in continue to grow in the knowledge and love of God and live into and live out your identity as a follower of Christ. At Christ Church Cathedral, the Confirmation curriculum is designed to prepare you for a very personal decision about making your commitment to a life in Christ through the sacrament of Confirmation.  This decision is not to be taken lightly and Christ Church Cathedral is committed to helping you with your discernment and explore how this will impact your life in Christ.

Confirmation happens once a year (usually on the Day of Pentecost) or whenever the Bishop is scheduled to be present. If you are interested, fill out the form, and a priest will be in touch with you about the preparation process”

Christ Church Cathedral uses a curriculum entitled, I Will with God’s Help.  It is a 6-week course that encourages youth and adults to enter into a uniquely Episcopal – yet profoundly Christian – faith journey.  I Will with God’s help is built entirely on the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer and offers youth and adults a solid reflection of Episcopal heritage and belief, together with the riches of Episcopal liturgy and prayers.

Reception (Christian Commitment)

Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop. The bishop lays hands on each candidate for reception and says, “We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion” (BCP, p. 418). Candidates for reception normally have made a mature commitment in another Christian fellowship.   

Reception all takes place on Pentecost during the confirmation service.

Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

The BCP refers to those persons already baptized who are presented to the bishop in the context of a service of Baptism or Confirmation to reaffirm their baptismal vows. These might be persons returning to the church after a period of unbelief or those who have entered a new level of spiritual life. The BCP does not specify who these persons are, and a variety of interpretation exists. The BCP provides a form to be used for reaffirmation of baptismal vows instead of the confirmation formula (BCP, p. 419). The word “renewal” rather than “reaffirmation” is used to describe the reaffirming of the baptismal covenant by the entire congregation at Baptism, Confirmation, or the Easter Vigil (BCP, p. 292).

 

life event

Weddings

Get Married at the Cathedral!

Through Christian marriage, God blesses the sacred commitment of two people who choose to make marriage a part of their mutual faith journey. 

Christ Church Cathedral is proud to be an affirming church that celebrates marriage equality for all people, including LGBTQ+ persons. 

LIFE EVENT

Funerals

Let us help you in this time of grief.

We believe that, for God’s faithful, in death “life is changed, not ended” and that funerals are both a celebration of the Easter promise and a time to walk together through grief and loss. 

Inquire about holding a funeral here, or to request a meeting with the clergy staff for planning a funeral in advance.

LIFE EVENT

Baptism

Entering the Risen Life of Christ

In the waters of baptism, we are lovingly adopted by God into God’s family, and given God’s own life to share and reminded that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. Holy Baptism marks a formal entrance to the congregation and wider Church.

 

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