Baptism
Baptism is essential to our life in Christ, representing full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. A sponsor presents candidates for baptism. In the baptism of a young child, we call the sponsors godparents. Sponsors are already baptized persons who signify their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Godparents take vows on behalf of their candidates and, by their influence and example, are expected to see that the children are brought up in the Christian faith and life.
Baptisms at Calvary are held on Sunday mornings. They are usually scheduled on major feast days—Pentecost (in May or June), the Sunday after All Saints’ Day (in November), the Baptism of Jesus (in January), and the Great Vigil of Easter (the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday).
To learn more about baptism, please contact Ebet Peeples or a clergy member.
Holy Eucharist
Bread and wine are the visible signs of the Eucharist; the body and blood of Christ, received by faith, become the inward and spiritual signs of grace. Through the Eucharist, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and strengthen our union with Christ and one another. Holy Eucharist is also known as Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, and the Mass.
Receiving communion together is a regular part of our worship life. All baptized people who desire a closer relationship with Jesus are invited to communion. There are two ways to receive the sacrament: the bread followed by a sip from the common cup, or the bread only, with arms folded across the chest afterward. Baptized children are welcome to receive when they are old enough to desire it.
You may also come to the altar rail for a blessing rather than the Eucharist. Simply cross your arms over your chest as you kneel or stand.
Confession/Reconciliation
Episcopalians are realistic about human nature. We know we are imperfect, and that part of looking honestly at ourselves involves coming face-to-face with our sins and our failure to love as we should and could. What do we do with this unhappy reality? We carry it to God. We may do this privately, for God is ever-willing to hear and forgive. But many of us find that having another person hear our sins and affirm God’s forgiveness helps to make our repentance—and God’s forgiveness—tangible.
In the Episcopal Church, priests are responsible for hearing confessions and proclaiming God’s forgiveness. They are trained for this and are part of a long tradition of priestly confidentiality. All of Calvary’s priests are available to hear confessions at the altar rail in the empty church. Call the church for an appointment.
We make confession corporately almost every Sunday as we celebrate the Eucharist together (BCP, p. 360). This is a poignant reminder that we gather as forgiven sinners, empowered to serve the world through God’s gracious love.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860). Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412). Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed.
Contact Ebet Peeples for information on upcoming confirmation classes and dates.
Marriage
Calvary Episcopal Church honors the union of two persons in marriage with a ceremony that is both solemn and joyous. As a couple exchanges vows, they pledge to love each other in the same way that Christ loves the Church and to live in faithfulness as God is faithful to His people. If you are an engaged or partnered member of Calvary and would like to explore celebrating your marriage at Calvary, one of our clergy will be happy to meet with you. Call Ebet Peeples at 901-312-5201 for an appointment. View Calvary wedding guidelines.
Healing/Unction
In Holy Unction, we anoint the person for whom we are praying with oil, an ancient sign of God’s healing power. The sign of the cross is made on the forehead, reminding us of the anointing done at baptism when we are “sealed by the Holy Spirit…and marked as Christ’s own forever.” Healing prayer is offered frequently in hospitals, homes, and offices or at our weekly noon Healing Eucharist on Wednesdays.
Burial Services
While death comes to us all, the death of a loved one can be an emotional and challenging time. The clergy at Calvary consider it a privilege to walk with you and your family through the days before and after the death of a family member.
At the Time of Death
Members of the clergy are available to offer the rituals and sacraments of the church to those who are dying. They can offer Holy Communion to those who are still able to receive it, anointing for those who are dying, and prayers of commendation for those who have died.
Burial
The death of a member of the church should be reported as soon as possible, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with one of Calvary’s clergy. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP, p. 507) describes our perspective on the burial rite: “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 we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
Burial Rite
The Book of Common Prayer offers two orders of service for burial. The Rite I service (BCP p. 469-489) uses a more traditional, formal language. The Rite II service (BCP p. 491-505) uses modern language and permits personalization of the service that the Rite I liturgy does not allow. We encourage using the Rite II service, particularly if the service will be attended by persons unfamiliar with the Episcopal tradition.
Columbarium
Calvary Church’s columbarium is located in the Courtyard of St. Francis of Assisi, adjoining the Great Hall. It is for the interment of the ashes of deceased members of the congregation and their families. Each niche in the columbarium can hold two urns. To purchase a niche or memorial block, please contact Steve Smith.
Advance Preparation
At Calvary, we encourage our members to prepare in advance to make their death as easy as possible for those who remain and those who have the responsibility for carrying out their wishes. Such planning includes reviewing one’s financial position and consulting an attorney about any estate planning or distribution options; looking at the Burial Rite in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP p. 468-489 for Rite I and p. 490-505 for Rite II) and meeting with Calvary’s clergy about how the church will celebrate your life; and having a conversation with one’s family about end-of-life decisions and desires.
Suggested Hymns
Suggested Readings
Emergency Contact/ Funeral Planning
Contact Ebet Peeples to schedule a time to meet with a clergy member to plan a burial service in advance.
