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 appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. The celebrant is expected to preach the Word and preside at Baptism and the Eucharist. At Baptism, the celebrant officiates at the Presentation and Examination of the Cantdidates; and says the Thanksgiving over the Water.

Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.

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.

At Baptism, one becomes part of the community of the faithful, and as such is entitled to all benefits of sacramental administrations (i.e., Communion). Indeed, the first sacrament one receives is Communion of the Blessed Sacrament of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As an infant it might not be practical to assume eating of solid foods and drinking from a cup, but an effort should be made to communicate the newly baptized. Later, as the child grows, there will come a time when this baptized person will realize the desire to participate in their baptism rite. This will vary, but could come as early as two to five years old.

At that time, the parents should schedule time with Clergy or Parish Catechist for initial Communion Instruction to assure an age appropriate understanding and subsequent participation through their Baptismal Rite into the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.

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 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.

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

Because the decision is such an important one, we at Saint Paul's are very serious about priestly and canonical responsibilities for presiding at a marriage. To be married at Saint Paul's, each couple must meet the basic requirements established by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and the customs and practices of this parish.

At least one of the couple must be a Baptized, practicing Christian and active member of Saint Paul's. Premarital counseling with a priest is obligatory. Weddings will not be scheduled on Sundays, during Lent, Holy Week, Easter Day, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Because of the nature of Christian Marriage, a wedding is a solemn occasion and is to be celebrated with dignity and joy. With that intention in mind, an information booklet is available which explains parish policy and practice to help you in planning your wedding at Saint Paul's Church.

One of the corporal works of mercy of the church has always been to bury the dead. To that end the clergy of Saint Paul's are willing and available to bury anyone. The clergy should be notified immediatly upon the death of a parishioner. Parishioners are encouraged to have on file with the church a funeral instruction form that will be used as guidance in the event of death. The norm for Christian burial at Saint Paul's is outlined in the Book of Common Prayer. Clergy are available to assist the family from the moment of death.