Baptisms

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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. Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates.

It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church. (Book of Common Prayer)

Scheduling a Baptism

All are welcome, and Baptism is offered on designated days throughout the year. Please contact Barbara Hart in the church office at 410-435-7333 X221 to schedule a Baptism. Both parents are expected to attend a Baptism Seminar, usually held the day before the Baptism. Sponsors are encouraged to attend if possible, and children are welcome.

Weddings

The union of two people in heart, body, and mind is 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. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and deliberately… (Book of Common Prayer, revised)

We are delighted that you are considering being married at The Church of the Redeemer. Your wedding day is one that you will never forget, and we are eager to help make the experience meaningful and special.

To be married in the Episcopal Church, one of the couple must be a baptized Christian (regardless of denomination) and a member of The Church of the Redeemer. Members attend services regularly, are contributors of record and are involved in at least one of our ministries. The Episcopal Church is also open to the remarriage of divorced persons, but it does require requesting permission from the Bishop of Maryland.

Once you have read through and familiarized yourself with the church’s marriage customary, the next step is to contact Barbara Hart in the parish office to set up a meeting with a member of the clergy. She can be reached at Barbara Hart or by phone at 410-435-7333 ext.221. There will be a series of four conversations with the priest to discuss your relationship, to explore a Christian understanding of marriage, and to plan the wedding.

Funerals

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant(s) with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. (Book of Common Prayer)

A funeral is used to mark the end of a person’s life. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks to God for the life of the person, and entrust the person into God’s further care. We call the service a funeral when the person’s body is present and a memorial service when there is no body present. For the sake of convenience, this webpage refers to “funeral,” but most things about funerals apply to memorial services as well. The service may be a small and quiet with just a few people in attendance, or it may be large with many people present.

A person does not have to have been a member of The Church of the Redeemer for his/her funeral to be held here. If we are able to accommodate a non-member, we are glad to do so. However, every funeral conducted in the church follows our guidelines and is done according to the service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. If you are interested in planning for your own funeral service or planning the service of someone you love, we are here to help you. Once you have looked over the information here and want to move forward in your planning, please call one of the clergy of Redeemer at 410-435-7333. He or she will meet with you in person to prepare for the service.