Membership
in the Episcopal Church is through Holy Baptism. Services of Baptism are offered
throughout the year. Those who have been baptized may register their baptism in
the Episcopal Church by informing the parish office.
Those who were baptized at an early age in another communion and have not made a
mature affirmation of their baptism may do so through Confirmation in the
Episcopal Church. People who were baptized at a mature age in another communion
may be received into the Episcopal Church by a bishop. In all of these
instances, people are asked to participate in an Inquirers' class.
Episcopalians
who desire to transfer their membership registration to Grace Church may do so
by contacting the parish office.
The
service of reception is for those who have been both baptized and confirmed in
another Christian denomination (such as Roman Catholic or Lutheran) but who wish to become Episcopalians. These
persons would be "received" into the Episcopal Church at a service
with a bishop.
According to the Book of Common Prayer, "Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop." Confirmation is an "adult" affirmation of baptismal vows. Persons are confirmed at a service with a bishop.
At Grace Church, young persons are normally confirmed around the age of sixteen, after having been part of a Christian formation program. Through confirmation, teenagers reaffirm the baptismal vows that their parents made for them when they were baptized as infants. Adults who wish to be confirmed are asked to attend the Inquirers' class. Adults who are baptized by the bishop are then considered to be both baptized and confirmed at the same time.
For more
information please contact the parish office (504-482-5242)
Inquirer's Class
Inquirer's Classes are held periodically and are taught by the the rector and/or assisting clergy.
This class is open to adults who want to be Confirmed with the Laying-on-of-Hands or be Received from other branches of the Christian Church by the Bishop.