Pastoral Care and Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, & Weddings)
Contact the parish office for all pastoral needs: Baptisms, the rite of
Reconciliation of a Penitent (personal confession & counsel),
Blessing of Marriage, communion for the sick and homebound, or pastoral
visits to the hospital. In case of a death in the family, contact the
rector asap. Clergy will assist in funeral plans.
We are a parish family that cares for each other. People have needs and
our want is to care, comfort, and be compassionate. Our congregation
helps eachother when they are making transitions through difficult
times. You may be dealing with a sick family member, the loss of a
spouse or partner, the difficulty of limited resources, or simply need
encouragement and comfort at a critical time.
Our laity is involved in pastoral service through our newly formed Tend My Sheep
Ministry. Under the guidance of our deacon, the Rev. Gail Bennet, a
hospice chaplain, laity maintain contact with shut-ins via visits,
cards and phone calls.
We also have recently begun a new casserole ministry. Parishioners are
encouraged to make a casserole that will be kept at the freezer at the
church. They will be used provide meals for people during times of
need.
Our active prayer list is printed every Sunday in the insert. The
congregation is encouranged to take the list home and pray for those
who are calling upon the Lord's help. If you would like to be added to
the prayer list or would like to add someone else (please get their permission first), send an email to prayer@trinitynj.com. Names will remain on the prayer list for four weeks.
Baptism at Trinity
At Trinity we understand that in Baptism an
adult or child is formally and permanently bound to the Body of Christ,
that is the Church. In part, the Baptismal covenant includes the
following questions:
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
We believe that to answer these question truthfully and with
understanding requires a period of preparation and formation in the
Christian life and community. Parents of children to be baptized along
with older children and adults seeking to be baptized are asked to
participate in a six month faith formation program that emphasizes the
experience of prayer, Scriptural reflection and the ministry of the
people prior to receiving the Sacrament. Baptisms at Trinity are held
at the Great Vigil of Easter and, as need warrants, at the three other
traditional Sundays for Baptism- Pentecost, All Saints Sunday, and
Epiphany.
Holy Eucharist at Trinity
At the center of our life as a Christian community is the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (or communion or Mass). Click here for information about our Holy Eucharist (the Mass).
Weddings at Trinity
If you are reading this as a newly engaged
person, please accept our congratulations! The building of Trinity
Church is stunning and a perfect place to stand together as a couple
and ask for God's blessing on your life together. As clergy and members
of this parish we will do all we can to help you in your preparations
for your wedding day. With that, one of the important aspects of being
married at Trinity is that the congregation not only to help you
journey to your wedding day, but to be a source of strength and support
in your marriage. We take seriously the line in the Marriage Rite which
asks those gathered at your wedding, "Will you who witness these vows
do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their life
together." The answer is a bold, "We will!" Therefore it is important
that if you desire to be married at Trinity, you make it your parish
home first. We hope that both of you will make that decision. But, we
also understand and respect that one member of the couple may be from a
different faith tradition. In that case, it will be important to talk
with the priest about how your life together will honor both of your
religious backgrounds.
Below are frequently asked questions about being married at Trinity.
Q. Why marry in the Church?
A. The Church believes that when two people enter into Christian
marriage, they enter into a life long union, making vows before God and
the Church, and recieve the grace and blessing of God to help them
fulfill their vows.
Q. Who can be married in the Church?
A. One, at least of the parties to be married must be a baptized
Christian. It is the further policy of Trinity Church that one of the
parties to be married must be a member of Trinity Church. Exceptions to
this rule are made at the discretion of the Rector.
Q. What if one of the persons to be married is divorced?
A. If either party has received a divorce, annulment or otherwise had a
previous marriage dissolved by secular authorities, special permission
must be received from the Bishop for a wedding to take place. This
process is entered into not less than 90 days prior to the proposed
date of marriage.
Q. What kind of ceremony can we have?
A. As as parish of the Episcopal Church, the service Celebration and
Blessing of marriage is as given in the Book of Common Prayer. Two
forms are provided, one traditional, and one which requires the couple
to be married to work with the priest in writing major portions of the
service. Either is permitted at Trinity Church, but please be aware
that the latter option entails extensive time and work in preparation.
In either instance, the Marriage ceremony normally takes place in the
context of a service of Holy Eucharist.
Q. My partner is not Episcopalian, can we be married at Trinity?
A. Marriage between an Episcopalian and a person of another
denomination of the Christian faith (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Roman Catholic, etc.) are permitted under Church Law. Often times, it
is possible for clergy of other denominations to be involved in the
ceremony.
Q. My partner is not Christian, can we be married in the Church?
A. Interfaith marriages are permitted in the Episcopal Church. Special
care and planning must be taken in planning the service. Often times it
is possible for the ceremony to utilize both Christian and
non-Christian clergy.
Q. What about premarital counselling?
A. At Trinity it is customary to meet with the priest performing the
ceremony at least four times prior to the service. During these
meetings the couple and the priest will plan the ceremony,talk about
the nature of Christian Marriage, and discuss issues facing the couple.
If in the course of these meetings, the priest feels there are issues
needing resolution before the wedding, the couple may be refered for
further counselling.
Q. What kind of music can we have?
A. Services of the parish organist are often available. If not, the
Rector has a list of acceptable substitutes. Other musicians may
perform, but only with the permission of the Rector. As the wedding
service is a rite of the Church, there are some restrictions on what
music can be performed, and the Rector must be consulted before
selections are made.
Q. Can we have photographers or video taken?
A. Both photographers and videographers are welcome as long as they
remain unobtrusive and use no flashes or special lights during the
actual service. It is customary for the weddingparty to gather after
the service in the Church for flash photography.
Q. How far in advance must we plan the wedding?
A. Six months is the minimum, but even a year is not uncommon in planning a wedding.
Q. What about the marriage license?
A. The couple to be married is responsible for meeting all requirement
s of state and local governments before the marriage. No ceremony can
be performed without the appropriate license.
(images from
Wedding of Regine Flimlin and Rick Wegel
June 2005)
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