The Sacraments and You
Faith isn’t an abstract idea or a set of rules—it is something we live, touch, taste, and experience every day. The Sacraments are tangible, real-world encounters with God’s love designed for every stage of human life. Whether you are celebrating a new beginning, seeking inner peace, making a life-long promise, or simply needing spiritual rest, there is a sacrament waiting to meet you right where you are.
Baptism
Baptism is the spark of new life. Baptism is the full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. When parents bring an infant to the font, the entire parish family promises to support them in raising the child in faith and love. When adults choose baptism, it marks a conscious step toward a new way of living in Christ. In day-to-day life, our baptismal covenant serves as our compass—reminding us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, strive for justice and peace, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
The Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion or the Mass) is the central act of Episcopal worship. It is how we receive nourishment for our journey. Week after week, we gather at God's table as equals to share the bread and wine, receiving the real presence of Jesus Christ. In a world that often feels rushed and fragmented, the Eucharist offers a sanctuary to slow down, be nourished by grace, and be renewed in community before being sent back out to serve the world.
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Confirmation
If Baptism is the foundation, Confirmation is the building upon it. Through the laying on of hands by a Bishop, candidates make a mature, public affirmation of their faith and commitment to their baptismal promises. For teenagers and adults alike, Confirmation is an empowering moment to say, "I own this faith for myself," while receiving the strength of the Holy Spirit to discover and live out their unique spiritual gifts.
Reconciliation of the Penitent
Often referred to as private confession, the Episcopal view on reconciliation is traditionally summed up as "All may, some should, none must." Sitting down with a priest to confess what weighs on your conscience is entirely voluntary, yet deeply healing. Hearing the assurance of God’s pardon declared over you provides a clean slate, freeing you from past mistakes so you can move forward with a quiet mind and a lighter heart.
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Anointing of the Sick, or Unction
Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with holy oil, accompanied by prayer and the laying on of hands for healing of body, mind, and spirit. Whether received before a major surgery, during a chronic illness, or during a time of mental anguish, this rite brings Christ’s compassionate presence directly into our physical and emotional pain, reassuring us that God never abandons us in our vulnerability.
Holy Matrimony
Christian marriage in the Episcopal tradition is a solemn and public covenant between two people to live together in mutual love, honor, and devotion under God. Beyond the joy of the wedding day, Matrimony is lived out through everyday acts of patience, forgiveness, and partnership. It transforms ordinary, human love into a living reflection of God’s unconditional love for the world.
Ordination
Through the Holy Orders, bishops, priests, and deacons are ordained to shepherd, teach, and serve the Church family. In our parish, you experience this ministry through the leaders who preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, visit the sick, and guide our community. Holy Orders reminds us that we are all part of an interconnected body, while inspiring every parishioner to listen for how God might be calling them to minister in their own daily lives.
Ministration at the Time of Death, or Last Rites
In the Episcopal Church, Last Rites (drawn from the Book of Common Prayer under Ministration at the Time of Death and Communion under Special Circumstances) is a deeply comforting pastoral ministry offered to a dying Christian and their family. It weaves together prayer, the reading of Scripture, the laying on of hands, anointing with holy oil (Unction), and, if desired, confession. When possible, Holy Communion is administered as viaticum—a Latin word meaning "food for the journey"—to sustain the believer on their transition to eternal life.
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Last Rites is not a somber ritual of fear, but a gentle, sacred ceremony of surrender and hope. It surrounds the dying person with the prayers of the Church, commending their soul into the hands of a loving God while bringing profound peace, solace, and prayerful support to family members gathered around the bedside.
The Burial of the Dead
In the Episcopal tradition, a funeral service—known as The Burial of the Dead in the Book of Common Prayer—is fundamentally an Easter liturgy. It is characterized by hope, resting on the profound Christian belief that "because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too shall be raised." While it provides a sacred space to grieve, weep, and honor a loved one’s unique life, the liturgy directs our hearts toward the comfort of God's eternal love and the promise that death does not have the final word.
A funeral often includes scripture, hymns, personal remembrances, prayers for the departed and those who mourn, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist to draw us close to the communion of saints. Whether held in our church nave, a memorial garden, or at a graveside for the Committal, the Church surrounds families with compassion and care during one of life’s most difficult transitions. It serves as both a tender farewell and a prayer of thanksgiving for a life entrusted back to God.
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Whether you are mourning an immediate loss or wishing to make your own wishes known in advance, our clergy are here to walk beside you.
Where do you go from here?
The sacraments and rites of the Church are not rigid requirements—they are holy invitations to encounter God’s loving grace in real time.
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Interested in Baptism, Confirmation, or Marriage? Contact our parish clergy to discuss preparation and scheduling.
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Desiring Reconciliation or Healing Prayers? View our service times or arrange a private conversation with a priest.
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In Need of Pastoral Care or Last Rites? Please let us know. Our clergy are available to offer prayers, anointing, and Holy Communion at home or in the hospital.
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Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you have a place at God’s table here.