Sacraments
In The Episcopal Church, the sacraments are available to all, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Upcoming Baptism Opportunities
Pentecost
Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.
(Church)
Summer Offering
August/September 2025
(Church)
Sacraments
Learn more about the sacraments of the Episcopal church and the traditions at GHTC.
Baptism
In The Episcopal Church, the sacraments are available to all, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Baptism is not agreeing to an intellectual proposition; nor is it joining a club or social organization. It is incorporation in God’s own life. In baptism we are assured of acceptance as God’s children and are marked, claimed and made Christ’s own forever. Something so important deserves careful and deliberate preparation and commitment.
The Episcopal Church teaches that infants, children and adults may be baptized. Baptismal vows are made on behalf of infants or young children by their parents and sponsors. Older children and adults make their own promises. Because baptism is the outward and visible action that connects a person to God in a covenant relationship, it belongs in public worship, rather than private ceremony. As such, baptisms are offered in the context of the Holy Eucharist. At the service, members of the congregation renew their own baptismal vows and welcome the newly baptized into the community of faith.
The Book of Common Prayer designates certain days in the liturgical year as being especially appropriate for the celebration of Holy Baptism. These are the Easter Vigil (Saturday night before Easter Day), the Day of Pentecost, All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany) and the annual visit from one of our bishops.
The Great Vigil of Easter (Easter Eve) is especially recommended for adults and youth who wish to be baptized.
At each baptism, in addition to pledging support for the candidates, those who are already baptized renew their vows. You can learn more about the service of Holy Baptism on page 299 in the Book of Common Prayer.
For more information and to schedule a Baptism please fill out this form.
Holy Eucharist
Confirmation
Marriage
Funerals
Planning for the end of life is an act of love that spares our families difficult decisions. The links below provide items to start the conversation about death and funeral arrangements.