Pastoral support is available to all members of the congregation for day-to-day issues as well as in times of personal crisis. Preparation for the pastoral rites of baptism, marriage, and burial is offered to individuals and their families and friends.

Private, confidential confession is available by appointment with one of the clergy.

Clergy offer spiritual direction, ongoing guidance, and dialogue for individuals interested in deepening their spiritual life. Courses, retreats, quiet days, leadership training, support, and supervision are provided for lay people who provide pastoral care to others.

Baptism is one of the Sacraments of the Episcopal Church. Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 298). The Episcopal Church recognizes as valid any baptism administered with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Any person who has been baptized can be registered as a baptized member of Grace Cathedral. If you were not baptized in the Episcopal Church, simply write to the Office of the Congregation, enclose a copy of your baptismal or confirmation certificate, and asked to be registered. If you do not have a certificate, please write with the details of when, where, and in what denomination you were baptized. For information about Christian formation for baptism at Grace Cathedral, visit our baptism section.

Weddings are special at Grace Cathedral. We have a space to fit almost any size wedding party in one of the most beautiful settings in North America.

THE SERVICE, "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage" in the Book of Common Prayer (1979) is the liturgical form used for all weddings at Grace Cathedral. The canon law of the church requires that at least one of the couple be a baptized Christian.

PREMARITAL INSTRUCTION is required of all couples.

CATHEDRAL CLERGY will under normal circumstances officiate. Clergy of other dioceses may request to officiate here by letter to the Dean. Clergy of other denominations may assist the Episcopal priest at a wedding.

SCHEDULING of weddings is not done on Sundays, during Holy Week or in December. Times available on Saturdays are: 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm. The four different areas in the church to be married are: the Nave (which holds up to 800), the Great Quire (which holds 140-225), the Chapel of Grace (which holds132-140) and the Chapel of Nativity (which holds 16).

If you have questions or need to inquire about dates please call the wedding coordinator at (415) 749-6327 or contact by e-mail at Weddings@gracecathedral.org.

Funeral services are scheduled as the Cathedral calendar and space permit, in the Nave or one of the smaller chapels. There are fees for space use, clergy, verger, and musician time, but pledging members of the congregation and those owning columbarium space are exempt from space use fees. The officiating clergy will plan the service with the family members or friends of the deceased. As with weddings, other clergy may assist, and music must be approved by the Music Department.

For further information, or to make an appointment with a priest, please e-mail us at congregation@gracecathedral.org.

Caring Friends of Grace is a ministry committed to assisting congregation members who can use support when they or family members are ill and have special short-term needs.

The focus of Caring Friends is currently three areas of support:

• Preparing meals for individuals/families who find it difficult to do so;
• Sending cards of encouragement regularly to let members know that they are in our thoughts and prayers;
• Initiating a special "prayer chain" so that members in the congregation can lift up individuals through private prayer.

If you are interested in learning more about Caring Friends of Grace and becoming a part of this most rich and rewarding ministry of the heart, please contact one of the following members: Nyya Lark-Wilson; José Manuel Pacheco; Joanne Compean.

Stephen Ministry is a ministry of trained and supervised lay persons who provide one-to-one Christian care to individuals facing life challenges or difficulties.

Stephen Ministers have completed 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving, including general topics such as listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, and using Christian resources in caregiving. In addition, their training covers specialized topics such as ministering to the divorced, hospitalized, bereaved, and aging.

What do Stephen Ministers Do?
Stephen Ministers are caring Christian friends who listen, understand, accept, and pray for and with care receivers who are working through a crisis or a tough time.

Can I Trust a Stephen Minister?
Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry, and what a care receiver tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strictest confidence.

What is the Pastor's Role?
The cathedral's pastoral staff will always be the primary caregivers, but there is no way they can meet all the needs for care. God has called all of us, not just ordained clergy, to minister to one another. Stephen Ministry multiplies ministry by turning pastors into equippers, so they can enable lay people to provide caring ministry as well.

How Can Someone Receive Care from a Stephen Minister?
If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, you can contact a member of the pastoral staff, or any of our Stephen Leaders.

How Can Someone Become a Stephen Minister?
Begin by contacting one of our Stephen Leaders and they can tell you more. Stephen Ministers make a two-year commitment to train and serve.