A: You will need to be baptized and the Rector will be glad to advise you and help you take that step in your spiritual life. Meanwhile, come to the altar rail, cross your hands over your chest and receive a blessing.

A: You make that decision as a parent. Some parents want their children to receive Communion as soon as they are able to come to the altar and receive. Other prefer to wait until their children have received Communion instruction, which is offered in Sunday school. Children who are not yet receiving Communion may come to the altar to receive a blessing. Like adults, children should be baptized before receiving communion. If you are unsure about your own preferences in the matter, or would like to explore baptism for your child, speak with the Rector.

A: In wanting your child to be baptized, you are wanting them to love and know God and God's family. You and your child need and deserve the support of the Christian community to help your child group up in the Christian faith and life. Thus, we suggest that in committing to baptism, you are also committing to regular church attendance and Sunday school for your child.

If you have chosen to make Grace your spiritual home, simply speak to the Rector about scheduling a date for baptism. The Rector will meet with the child's parents and godparents for about an hour on a mutually convenient date before the baptism to talk about the commitment you are all maing and go over the service. Baptism is especially appropriate on the feast days of All Saints (the first Sunday in November), the Baptism of our Lord (the second Sunday in January), Pentecost (usually in mid-May), and at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday). Unless you have a special family circumstance, the Rector will ask you to chose one of these days for the baptism.

A: Blessings on your engagement! We are glad you are seeking out a church wedding to have God part of your special day. You and your future spouse need and deserve the support of the Christian community in your married life. Thus we suggest that in seeking out a church wedding, you are also making a commitment to regular church attendance and involvement. In order to follow the canons of the Episcopal Church, Grace Church does have a policy of not marrying couples who are not members of the church. However, membership just means attending the church. Weddings will not be confirmed as scheduled unless the couple has attended church at least once (although the date can be penciled in before that.)

To prepare for your wedding, the Rector will meet with you four times to discuss Christian marriage, your relationship, and to plan your service. More information on weddings at Grace Church are detailed in a booklet available through the church office.

A: Yes. The Episcopal Church recognizes that some marriages die and that some may chose to be remarried. For couples who have been married before, the priest must ask the Bishop for permission to officiate at the marriage. There is a written essay application that must be sent to the Bishop's office several months before the wedding date. It is not at all a difficult process, there is no cost, and it can be very beneficial to couples, but there does need to be some advance planning. The details in the answer above to couples also applies to second marriages (i.e. involvement in church membership and meeting with the clergy). Third marriages have a more lengthy preparation process. The Episcopal Church does not allow fourth marriages.

A: Of course you can. The Episcopal Church recognizes that some marriages die. The church mourns with you, but welcomes you to Communion as part of your healing and growth.

A: Just come to our Church services regularly and participate in the activities we have to offer. When you feel ready, you may either ask for your membership to be transferred (if you have come to us from another Episcopal Church) or that you will be confirmed or received. Whether or not your membership is formally recorded with us, you are invited to participate in our parish life.

A: They are similar. Some parts, in fact, are identical. We, however, are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion - the group of Churches that are "in communion" with the Church of England. We have some doctrinal differences with the Roman Church. But, in our basic structure, order, liturgy and spiritual life, we are indeed very similar to the Roman Catholic Church.

A: It is both Protestant and Catholic. Since we are not in communion with the Church of Rome, it considers us Protestant. But out doctrines and practices are mostly more ancient than those of most Protestant churches, so we are also Catholic. An excellent way to put a label on the Episcopal Church is to think of us as the bridge church between the two great traditions, practicing what we believe to be the best of both.

A: Grace Church is incorporated as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which consists of 200 parishes in eastern Massachusetts. The members of each Episcopal parish elect a group of lay persons to the Vestry, which is like a Board of Directors. the Vestry controls the operation and finances of the parish and makes the day-to-day decisions needed to carry on the mission of the congregation. The Rector is the chair of the Vestry and, as the pastor and priest, has authority over the worship and spiritual life of the congregation, though only those elected may vote. Each January, an annual meeting is held to elect the Vestry and hear reports on the operation of the church in the past year. Occasionally, major decisions that go beyond the scope of the Vestry's responsibility are also made at this meeting. It is open to all members, age 16 years of age or older, who are worshippers and contributors of record.