Canons governing baptisms, confirmations, and receptions are found in Constitution, Canons and Rules of Order of The Episcopal Church, Title I, Canon 17.
A Member of this Church should get a Letter of Transfer to move their membership from the congregation in which their membership is recorded to another Congregation. This Letter of Transfer shall indicate that the person is recorded as a Member of this Church and whether they are: a Communicant, is recorded as being a Communicant in Good Standing, has been confirmed or received by a Bishop of this Church or a Bishop in full communion with this Church.
An individual who has received the sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in this church or another Christian church, and are duly recorded as members of this church.
Confirmation is the rite for adults who desire to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism, following instruction in the faith of the Church. Adult confirmed members are therefore those who have been baptized, confirmed, and are now at least 16 years of age.
Adults who are baptized and who have been confirmed by bishops of churches in historic succession as well as adults who are baptized and previously made a mature public commitment in another church may be received or confirmed. If an adult was confirmed by clergy other than a bishop, including those confirmed by priests in the Roman Catholic Church, he/she should be confirmed rather than received.
Reaffirmation is for adults who wish to reaffirm their baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Canons governing marriage are found in Constitution, Canons and Rules of Order of The Episcopal Church, Title I, Canon 18. Every Member of the Clergy of this Church should conform to the laws of the State governing the creation of the civil status of marriage, and also these canons concerning the solemnization of marriage. Members of the Clergy may solemnize a marriage using any of the liturgical forms authorized by this Church.
Prior to the solemnization, the Member of the Clergy shall determine:
a. that both parties have the right to marry according to the laws of the State and consent to do so freely, without fraud, coercion, mistake as to the identity of either, or mental reservation; and
b. that at least one of the parties is baptized; and
c. that both parties have been instructed by the Member of the Clergy, or a person known by the Member of the Clergy to be competent and responsible, in the nature, purpose, and meaning, as well as the rights, duties and responsibilities of marriage.
A bishop or priest may pronounce a blessing upon a civil marriage using any of the liturgical forms authorized by this Church.
At their discretion, clergy may invite other qualified clergy to participate in certain pastoral services. Clergy are never required to issue such an invitation. The officiant must always be an Episcopal clergyperson. With the specific permission of the Bishop, clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may officiate, using The Book of Common Prayer. Qualified non-Episcopal clergy participating in a single pastoral service may wear the vestments that are customary in their tradition.
For all other clergy, participation is limited to the following roles: Declaration of Consent, Readings from Holy Scripture, Prayers of the People, Dismissal; when Holy Eucharist is celebrated, an Episcopal clergyperson is to read the Gospel and serve as the celebrant. The clergy guest may stand beside the celebrant during the Prayer of Consecration and assist in the distribution of the elements, using the language specified in The Book of Common Prayer.
Any member of this Church whose marriage has been annulled or dissolved by a civil court may apply to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which such person is legally or canonically resident for a judgment as to his or her marital status in the eyes of the Church. Such judgment may be a recognition of the nullity, or of the termination of the said marriage; provided that no such judgment shall be construed as affecting in any way the legitimacy of children or the civil validity of the former relationship.
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