Sunday Services
8:00 a.m. Rite 1 Holy Eucharist: This service uses the Rite 1 service of Holy Eucharist (Communion) from The Book of Common Prayer. The language reflects the older Elizabethan form, and we do not have music. It is a quiet, reflective service.
10:00 a.m. Rite 2 Holy Eucharist with music: This service is anchored in the Rite 2 liturgy of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and utilizes other supplemental liturgical materials, which allows for more inclusive and expansive language. This service also includes a combination of traditional hymns and organ music and contemporary music featuring guitars, drums and other instruments. Our choir rehearses on Thursdays during the school year at 7 p.m. Our contemporary group rehearses on select Tuesday nights and at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Weekday Services
Wednesday
6 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers: This service is typically a Rite 2 contemporary language liturgy. The service includes the laying on of hands, healing prayers, and anointing with holy oil.
Weddings
Weddings at Holy Cross are done for members and scheduled with the rector or assistant rector. Weddings are not celebrated during the season of Lent (40 days before Easter). All wedding services are from The Book of Common Prayer or other liturgy approved by the Episcopal Church. Weddings require pre-marital counseling and may require a bishop’s judgment if one or both people have been married before. Thus, weddings must be planned at least 60 days before the event. Also, Episcopal clergy are never required to perform a marriage.
Same-Sex Marriages/Blessings In 2012 our national church passed a resolution that allowed the blessing of same-sex marriages at the discretion of the local bishop. The Diocese of Upper South Carolina created a process by which churches could discern if they wished to bless same-sex marriages. Holy Cross participated in this process during Lent 2015 and concluded that we wished to move forward with blessing same-sex marriages. We received permission from the bishop in May of 2015. The national church then passed a resolution which provided rites for same-sex marriage in July of 2015, about the same time the Supreme Court decision was announced. Thus, Holy Cross is now approved to perform same-sex marriages provided the couple meets all of the requirements listed above.
Funerals
Funerals are performed for members of Holy Cross at the family’s request and convenience. Funerals can include Holy Eucharist, but it is not a requirement. The rector or assistant rector can help the family plan a funeral and assist with information on options for funeral homes, cremation versus direct burial, and follow-up grief care after the loss of a family member.