Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. The two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. Other sacramental rites which evolved in the Church include confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction. Sacraments sustain our present hope and anticipate its future fulfillment.

Baptism

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 most often administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.  We are a tradition that baptizes both infants and adults.

The clergy do preparation with parents and godparents who are presenting their children for baptism.

Confirmation

In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.

Those baptized in other Christian traditions who come to the Episcopal Church are asked to to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of the bishop and to receive the laying on of hands. The Bishop is at St. James for our Easter Vigil and other times during the year to celebrate with us these sacraments of commitment.

Young people and adults ages 13 and older, participate in a Confirmation Class led by our clergy.

Weddings

All prospective couples need to speak with the Clergy in order to initiate the wedding or Holy Union preparation process.

If you are planning on making Holy Family your church home, it’s important that we all get to know each other. Come experience worship, fellowship and community events. Introduce yourselves to the clergy and people of Holy Family. As a couple, finding a church home is one way to build up relationships that will be life-giving to both of you.

If you are having your wedding or Holy Union at Holy Family and you are not seeking a new church home here, it is still important that we get to know each other.  The people of Holy Family are offering their spiritual home to you for your wedding.  There is much about our Sunday morning worship services that will reflect the kind of worship that happens in every wedding.  You will be more comfortable in this space on your wedding day if you have worshipped here before it.  And you will be more comfortable with the clergy person who officiates at your wedding if you have developed a relationship in the process of preparing.

The clergy will give you the contact information for the Wedding and Holy Union Coordinator. At this stage in the process, the Wedding and Holy Union Coordinator will be able to help you with availability of potential dates and specific wedding fees.

Funerals

The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with, the Rector. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church.

We encourage our people to meet with our clergy and make their funeral preparations long before they will be needed.