Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
Baptisms
Holy Baptism is one of the two primary sacraments of the Episcopal Church, together with the Holy Eucharist. In Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s body, the universal Church. Theologically, we are buried with Jesus in his death, and raised to new life with him in his resurrection, and we are marked as Christ’s own forever. We hold baptisms several times throughout the year at the 10AM service on Sunday mornings and sometimes at the Easter Vigil. The dates mainly correspond to the primary feast days set aside for baptism in the Book of Common Prayer. We also add an additional Sunday during the summer months. Check the Calendar for upcoming dates.
127: Holy Baptism
Frequently asked questions about Holy Baptism…
Just reach out to the parish office by email or phone, (203) 966-4515 and a member of the clergy will be in touch with you.
All baptisms are recorded in the parish register and all who are baptized will receive a certificate of Holy Baptism. To that end, we ask for information about each baptismal candidate, who may be an infant, child or adult. Download the Baptism Form for Children, or the Baptism Form for Adults.
At least one of the godparents or sponsors must be a baptized Christian who is willing and able to affirm the promises contained in the Baptismal Covenant. These include promises to be responsible for seeing that the child presented for Baptism is brought up in the Christian faith and life, to renounce evil, to put their whole trust in Jesus Christ, and to participate in the work and mission of the Church according to the Baptismal Covenant.
At least one baptized Christian is required to be present on the day of the Baptism to serve as a godparent or sponsor to the one being baptized. But one may have as many godparents as desired, and they may all be named on the certificate.
We only offer private Baptism under extreme circumstances. In the Episcopal Church, Baptism most appropriately takes place within the context of the whole congregation gathered for a primary Sunday service of Holy Eucharist. When there are extraordinary exceptional circumstances (a grave illness in the family, for example, or a member of the military home on limited leave), we can arrange for a time outside the main dates the church sets aside for Holy Baptism. Discuss your particular circumstances with a member of the clergy to determine the best way forward.
Yes. It is ideal for a child to be baptized in the church where they live, within the Christian community of which the child’s parents are members. If, however, the parents have yet to establish a relationship with a church, or if there are other considerations and strong pastoral or historical reasons to have the Baptism at St. Mark’s, it may be appropriate for the child to be baptized here. Also, the parents themselves must desire and be willing to affirm the promises made in Baptism on behalf of their child, including the pledge to bring up their child in the Christian faith and life. Implicit in this promise is that the parents will join a church where they live, if elsewhere, in order to live out their Baptismal promises within their local community.
There is no fee for baptisms that take place within the context of the worship services appointed for Holy Baptism. Many people do make a free will offering to the church on the momentous occasion of their Baptism, which is always welcome and appropriate but not required or expected.
Weddings
133: Holy Matrimony
Frequently asked questions about Weddings…
Appointments to discuss your marriage with the clergy should be made no less than three months before the wedding date, and as far ahead as possible.
In the Episcopal Church, all couples are required to participate in pre-marital counseling with a member of the clergy. During these sessions, the clergy will help you explore your relationship, the spiritual dimensions of your love, and the meaning of a Christian marriage commitment.
The priest officiating your wedding will guide you in planning your marriage ceremony as part of your pre-marital counseling sessions. The marriage service at St. Mark’s follows the time-honored order for the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage found in the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. Personal choices can be accommodated in the readings and musical selections made through conversation with the clergy and our director of music.
Members and non-members alike are welcome to be married at St. Mark’s or off-site by one of our clergy. Please be in touch with us for information about church and clergy availability, fees, and to get started with your preparation process.
Yes. Please see the schedule of fees and services here.
The Episcopal Church takes marriage very seriously as a lifelong commitment between two people. At the same time, it recognizes that some relationships, for a variety of reasons, come to an end. We honor the wisdom and experience that comes through love and loss and through the variety of relationships we have in our lives. Couples who come to our church seeking marriage after one or both parties have been divorced will be asked to discuss the previous marriage(s) and reasons for divorce with the clergy, who then obtains the Connecticut diocesan bishop’s permission to officiate the new marriage.
Yes. We joyfully marry all couples who feel called to live out their love together through the life-long covenant of marriage.
Funerals and Interments
If someone you love has died, and you need to plan a funeral, please call the parish office at (203) 966-4515 for assistance and to let the clergy know of your loss. When the office is closed, you can reach a member of the clergy on-call.
Our abiding and holy hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, is capable of sustaining us through times of profound loss. May God bless you in your time of grief, lighten the burden of your sorrow and in the fullness of time bring you to a place of deep peace and joy.
Frequently asked questions about funerals and interments…
According to the tradition of the Episcopal Church, baptized Christians are properly laid to rest in the context of Christian community.
A Funeral takes place with the body in a closed coffin or with ashes present, and a Memorial service is held without any remains present.
Our church has a Columbarium on site and the original St. Mark’s west Road Cemetery available to St. Mark’s members to reserve for the interment of ashes. The clergy will discuss your plans for interment with you, often in conversation with your funeral director.
No. All are welcome to reach out to us in a time of great need and to plan for a service to be held here.
Yes. Fees are determined according to services rendered. Please see the schedule of fees and services here.
Yes, we encourage everyone to consider planning end-of-life matters in advance for themselves or for their loved ones. At any time in your life, the clergy are happy to guide you through making preliminary plans according to your wishes. This kind of forethought proves, in the end, to be one of the greatest gifts one can leave to one’s family and friends when the end of life comes.
