Special Services

Baptism

We love to baptize! Holy Baptism is full initiation, by water and the Holy Spirit, into Christ’s body, the Church. In addition to becoming a Christian and part of the Church universal, persons who are baptized at Trinity also become members of Trinity. Holy Baptism may be administered to persons of any age. Baptism at any age entitles the baptized to participate fully in the sacrament of the Holy Communion.

We schedule baptisms during any Sunday service with the exception of Sundays during the season of Lent. Special baptism Sundays include Easter Vigil and/or Easter Sunday, Day of Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (the first Sunday after Epiphany), Christmas Eve/Day and the Sunday of Trinity’s Annual Bishop’s Visitation (customarily in January). Candidates for baptism (and sponsors of children to be baptized) are expected to attend baptismal instruction classes prior to baptism. Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. To schedule a baptism, contact one of the clergy persons at Trinity Church.

Marriage

At Trinity, we affirm that God calls people into various kinds of relationship that can empower our witness to the gospel, whether as single people, in monastic communities, or as intimate couples. The Church expects of couples living in lifelong committed relationships the characteristics of fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God. These expectations apply whether a couple is heterosexual or same gender. All couples who commit to nurturing and embodying such characteristics in their relationship with one another may seek to be married at Trinity Church.

To be married in an Episcopal church, at least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian; the ceremony must be attested by at least two witnesses; the marriage must conform to the laws of the State and of the canons of the Episcopal Church USA; and the couple must undertake and complete a course of marriage preparation. People who have been married before are eligible to be remarried with written permission from the Bishop of the Episcopal diocese wherein the wedding is to be performed.

Trinity does not “rent” its church or facilities for wedding ceremonies. For additional information on marriage preparation, wedding ceremony and marriage preparation fees, blessing of a civil union and/or the renewal of marriage vows, please contact the church office.



Funerals

At Trinity, we respond to the passing of our loved ones with a compassion that recognizes the pain of separation and a confidence that embodies the Episcopal conviction that because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too shall be raised. To request special prayers (referred to in some traditions as Last Rites) as the time of death approaches, please contact the clergy at Trinity Church.

The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible and arrangements for the funeral made in consultation with the Rector. Current and active membership is not a prerequisite for burial at Trinity for persons who at one time had a pastoral relationship with the clergy and/or congregation. Our clergy and church staff work very closely with family representatives to plan a service that honors the individual and respects the family and friends while remaining true to the understanding of death and dying that arises out of Christian tradition. Service plans may include a pre-burial visitation (often held at the funeral home), burial liturgy, the committal and/or reception.