Sacraments & Rites
Baptisms
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.
—The Book of Common Prayer, page 298
Baptism is a holy event in the life of faith in which God forms an eternal, unbreakable bond with us, as the faith community bears witness and reaffirms their own baptismal covenant with God. It is a truly joyful gift from God and St. James delights in bringing babies, children, and adults into the faith of Jesus Christ through this Sacrament. If you have been baptized in any other tradition, the Episcopal Church receives those rites as fully valid and being re-baptized is unnecessary.
In The Episcopal Church, baptisms are celebrated at the principal worship service on the days appointed in the Book of Common Prayer—the Great Vigil of Easter (usually in March or April), Pentecost Day (usually in May or June) All Saints’ Sunday (always the first Sunday in November), and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany in January), and the Feast of St. James (typically the last Sunday in July). Another time for baptisms is during the Bishop’s yearly visit.
If you are considering a baptism, please contact The Rev. Gaelyn Evangreene.
Weddings
All weddings must adhere to St. James Wedding Customary, the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church, and the laws of the State of North Carolina. Same-sex marriages are welcomed and celebrated at St. James. As detailed in our customary, weddings are discouraged during Advent and are not scheduled during Lent due to the penitential and more somber nature of those seasons of the liturgical year.
Before contacting St. James, please take a moment to read our wedding customary and guidelines to understand our policies and know whether you may hold your upcoming wedding here. Click here to read the St. James wedding customary.
Funerals
The Burial Rite is one of the most beautiful and hope-filled services of the Church. As Christians, we believe death is the gate to eternal life, and as such, all funerals are Easter celebrations of the Resurrection and an individual’s share in it. Please inform any of the parish clergy if someone is dying or has died, so that we can minister to them and their family. It is the norm that the clergy of St. James are the officiants at all funerals and that Holy Eucharist be a part of the Burial of the Dead. St. James also offers the St. Joseph’s Guild, a ministry for those near death and their families.
More Details: Funerals at St. James are first and foremost Easter celebrations of the Resurrection of Our Lord and of the your loved one’s share in it. They are services that honors the dignity of all human beings, making space for our need to celebrate eternal life through Christ’s and our need to grieve the loss of loved ones.
Scheduling a Funeral: Funerals are to be scheduled by or in conversation with a St. James clergy person. No funeral is considered scheduled until approved by the Rector. No funerals may be scheduled on Sundays, except in extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of the Rector. St. James will do its best to accommodate every requested date for a funeral. St. James may be limited in what it can offer in music and reception if a funeral is scheduled within three to four calendar days of the original request.
Approved Burial Liturgies: St. James uses either the authorized Burial Office Rite I or Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer without deviations. The Episcopal Church considers the “prayer book” to be the 1979 volume as well as all Enriching Our Worship supplements.
Approved Hymn and Music Selections: Congregational hymns should be from the universally approved hymnals—the 1982 Hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS), or Wonder, Love, and Praise. All music must be sacred in nature. The Rector has final approval for all aspects of the liturgy and worship service. No clergy person outside of St. James clergy may officiate or preach without approval and invitation from the Rector.
Eulogies/Reflections from Family and Friends: Family and friends are invited to offer reflections, but we ask that those reflections last between 10-15 minutes (all combined). Further reflections are welcomed during the reception. A microphone in the parish hall during the reception can be made available if extended remembrances are desired.
Fees and Honoraria: Certain honoraria and fees are requested: Organist—$250 (paid directly to the musician, not the church), Soloist; (Vocal or instrumental, paid directly to the musician, not the church)—$200; Bell Tower Ringers—$100 (paid to the church); Flowers—$75 (paid to the church, only if guild is providing flowers). Please deliver music fees prior to the service. St. James Flower Guild does not provide flowers on Monday through Thursday funerals. An honorarium for clergy is not suggested as burials are part of our parish work and vocation. Any additional gift of gratitude, if desired, should be made to St. James Episcopal Church or the officiating clergy’s discretionary fund.
Funeral Receptions: The St. James Funeral Reception Committee provides light refreshments and drinks at each funeral reception. This is a ministry of pastoral support and hospitality, and as such, there is no charge. Members of the committee set up the room and to prepare and serve the refreshments according to the expected number of attendees. All tablecloths, napkins, plates, silverware, cups and glassware will be furnished by the church. Following the reception, the committee will be in charge of all clean up. The standard refreshments provided by the committee are an assortment of sweets, cheese wafers or straws, tea sandwiches and fruit. Hot and cold beverages will be served, which includes both decaf and regular coffee, fruit punch and water. Flower arrangements may be needed for the serving table and also for the “Memory” table. If flowers are not available from the church or from committee members gardens, flowers will need to be purchased.
If the family would like heavier refreshments when a service occurs closer to meal times like lunch, the family is responsible for any additional food. These items should be delivered to the church one hour prior to the service. For examples of refreshments typically offered by the reception committee, click here: Food Options
