Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

Baptism at Christ Church

“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.”
–The Book of Common Prayer

At Christ Church – St. Michael’s Parish baptism is incorporated into regular worship services on specified Sundays during the year and occasionally at other times. Because baptism is the outward and visible action that connects a person to God in a covenant relationship, it belongs in public worship, rather than at a private ceremony.

In the public ceremony of baptism, the gathered community joins in welcoming a new member into the body of Christ, the church. This community includes the family and sponsors of the person baptized, commonly called godparents, and the local congregation and clergy.

Christ Church wants to make your baptism or the baptism of a member of your family as meaningful as possible. When you are ready to schedule a baptism, please contact the Parish Office to discuss dates and to speak to a member of the clergy.

Weddings at Christ Church

“Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.” –The Book of Common Prayer

At Christ Church – St. Michael’s Parish we believe that our buildings and the people who carry out ministry through them are a gift from God. Because we believe in a loving and inclusive God, we do not wish to exclude access or concern to anyone. At the same time, however, we choose to set responsible standards to insure the integrity of our ministry.

Marriage is a sacrament and one of the most important commitments in life. A wedding is celebrated in the context of the Christian community. Therefore, to be married at Christ Church, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• at least one party must be a member in good standing—or the son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter of a member of the parish in good standing (a member in good standing is defined as someone who is known to the clergy and wardens, exhibits regular attendance in worship, and maintains a gift or pledge of record);

• the couple are year-round residents of the “Bay Hundred” area, are baptized Christians and are willing to become members of Christ Church while preparing for their marriage; or

• at least one party is an Episcopalian and an active member of his or her local Episcopal Church (the understanding being that your local Episcopal priest will provide the pre-marital counseling and preparation).

All weddings at Christ Church are conducted according to the order of service found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church, starting on page 423. This is the clergy and couple’s primary tool in planning the wedding service. Copies of the prayer book are readily available from the clergy.

The Episcopal Church Canons require a minimum of thirty days notice before a wedding can take place. Additional time is required if either one or both of the party are divorced. At Christ Church, because there is much demand and limited staff, a wedding should be planned at least one year in advance. This allows sufficient time for pre-marriage counseling and planning.

As it is difficult to find clergy, staff, musicians and altar guild members to perform weddings on holidays and Sundays, Christ Church limits weddings to weekdays and Saturdays. In addition, we do not conduct weddings on major holidays or holiday weekends, including Easter, Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Morning weddings may be scheduled between 10 AM and 12 noon. Afternoon weddings may be scheduled between 1 and 5 PM.

If, after reading our policy on Holy Matrimony, you would like to discuss further being married at Christ Church, please contact the Parish Office to arrange a conversation with a member of the clergy, 410.745.9076.

Funerals at Christ Church

As Christians, we live in the hope and reality that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ – nothing in life; nothing in death. Nevertheless, one of the most challenging things we face in this life is the death of a loved one.

The clergy and staff of Christ Church offer their caring support and expertise to individuals and families through those first difficult days. Our love and care begins with the planning of the funeral to celebrate their life and to offer comfort in the promise of life beyond the door of death by the grace of God.

The Funeral may take place in either the Chapel or the Church and interment may take place immediately after the liturgy or at a later date. Prior to or at the time of death, please contact the Parish Office and one of our clergy will be in contact with you immediately.