Rites and Sacraments ...

At MCCNOVA we believe that the sacred is in us and all around us.

When we gather for worship, we do so in part to celebrate and honor that reality.

One of the ways in which we do this is in our observation of...

special rites and sacraments.

Types of Rites and Sacraments:

• Baptisms
• Communion

Baptism is a sign of the dedication of a life to God and God’s service; it is the act of claiming identity as a beloved child of God. We celebrate infant and adult baptisms, and recognize a variety of methods (i.e., sprinkling, immersion, etc.). Generally, the sacrament of baptism occurs during a worship service.

Communion is the sharing of bread and juice in memory of Jesus. We celebrate communion at all of our worship services. We do this not only to provide spiritual nourishment within our community, but also to affirm our belief that this sacrament is truly open to all every time we gather.

In addition to these sacraments, Metropolitan Community Churches observe a number of Rites, including:

• Ordination (for clergy)
• Membership (in the local church)
• Holy Union (relationship blessings)
• Funeral or Memorial Service
• Laying on of Hands (healing for the sick or dying)
• Rite of Blessing (for relationships, new chapters in life, objects, etc.)

These rites allow us to respond to our human need to ritually honor the sacredness of life, including its important beginnings, endings, and transitions. We also strive to honor the aspects of our lives that are sacred, which don’t always get celebrated as such by our culture. Rites of Blessing, in particular, can be designed for many diverse purposes, including pet blessings, house blessings, or times of transition or re-naming for those on the transgender journey.

We are available to help you honor the sacredness of yourself and your life.

Have more Questions?

If you have more questions about our worship, rites or sacraments, or if you would like to schedule one of the services listed above, please contact the church office at info@mccnova.com or contact Our Pastor, Rev. Kharma directly by clicking HERE .