Holy Baptism
From the Book of Common Prayer
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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.”
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Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. We are baptized with water, “in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” and we are made in union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God's
family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.
Yes. Infants, children, and adults are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God. The promises made at Baptism are made by parents and sponsors who promise that the person they are sponsoring will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
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.
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.
Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints' Day or the Sunday after All Saints' Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). It is recommended that, as far as possible,
Baptisms be reserved for these occasions or when a bishop is present. Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.
If there is reasonable doubt that a person has been baptized with water, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (which are the essential parts of Baptism), the person is baptized in the usual manner, but this form of words is used
If you are not already baptized, N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
To discuss baptism with Mother Cosman, please call the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.
Weddings
From the Book of Common Prayer
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“Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.”
In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church. A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, because such ministers alone have the function of pronouncing the nuptial blessing, and of celebrating the Holy Eucharist.
To inquire about a date and to discuss marriage with Mother Cosman, please call the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.
Yes, it is. Mother Cosman will schedule counseling sessions with the couple that will include the planning of the ceremony and the requirements of the parish. Couples may elect to engage a counselor to complete a portion of the preparation.
Yes.
Yes, re-marriage is possible with the permission of the bishop.
Confirmation
From the Book of Common Prayer
“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.
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Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.”
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The sacrament of Confirmation gives young people and adults an the opportunity to make a mature profession of their faith in the God made known in Jesus Christ. Confirmation takes place at Christ Church during the Episcopal Parish Visitation by one of our bishops. In preparation for the sacrament, classes are held for those preparing for Confirmation, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and Reception into The Episcopal Church. These visits are scheduled by the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
To discuss confirmation with Mother Cosman, please call the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.
Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child
From the Book of Common Prayer
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“As soon as convenient after the birth of a child, or after receiving a child by adoption, the parents, with other members of the family, should come to the church to be welcomed by the congregation and to give thanks to Almighty God. It is desirable that this take place at a Sunday service. In the Eucharist it may follow the Prayers of the People preceding the Offertory. At Morning or Evening Prayer it may take place before the close of the Office. When desired, a briefer form of this service may be used, especially in the hospital or at home.”
If you or someone you love is welcoming a child, please contact Mother Cosman, via the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.
Reconciliation of a Penitent - Confession
From the Book of Common Prayer
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“The ministry of reconciliation, which has been committed by Christ to his Church, is exercised through the care each Christian has for others, through the common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the priesthood of the church and its ministers declaring absolution.”
The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere.
Two equivalent forms of service are provided here to meet the needs of penitents. The absolution in these services may be pronounced only by a bishop or priest. Another Christian may be asked to hear a confession, but it must be made clear to the penitent.
When the penitent has confessed all serious sins troubling the conscience and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces the absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may assign to the penitent a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said, or something to be done, as a sign of penitence and act of thanksgiving.
The content of a confession is not normally a matter of subsequent discussion. The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.
To discuss Reconciliation of a Penitent with Mother Cosman, please call the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.
Ministration at Time of Death
From the Book of Common Prayer
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“When a person is near death, the Minister of the Congregation should be notified, in order that the ministrations of the Church may be provided.”
Contact Mother Cosman directly to arrange for a pastoral visit and the Ministration at Time of Death. Please do not leave a message on the parish telephone line or website.
In some traditions “Last Rites” by a priest are seen as a requirement of The Church. In the Episcopal Church the form for these ministrations can be found in the Book of Common Prayer page 462 and may be led by a lay person in the absence of a priest.
Funerals
From the Book of Common Prayer
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The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one whom we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
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 Minister of the Congregation. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be present.
We pray for those who have died, because we still hold them in our love, and because we trust that in God's presence those who have chosen to serve him will grow in his love, until they see him as he is. We believe that all Christians are part of the communion of saints, the whole family of God, the living and the dead, those whom we love and those, whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and praise. The coffin is to be closed before the service, and it remains closed thereafter. It is appropriate that it be covered with a pall or other suitable covering.
Everyone is invited to help plan their own service, which can be a blessing to that one loves. Planning documents for this purpose are available via the parish office. A priest normally presides at the service. It is desirable that the Lesson from the Old Testament, and the Epistle, be read by lay persons. Eulogies are not typically included in the liturgy and are more appropriately shared at other gatherings.
To discuss plans for a funeral with Mother Cosman, please call the church office at (860) 315-7780 or email her at clergy@christchurchpomfret.org.