Evangelical Covenant Church

The Evangelical Covenant Church believes that God created sacraments and rituals to communicate with and express truths to the church. It allows considerable latitude in its observance of baptism: both infant and adult baptism are left to the discretion of its members. Communion is observed monthly and during key events in the Christian year. Rituals are commonplace in life, not the exception. The ordinariness of ritual may account in part for the thought that they only occur in special places, such as churches, lodges, and military establishments, and at special times, such as weddings, funerals, initiations, and trooping of the colors. Mealtimes have rituals: grace before eating, perhaps as hands are held; conversations that tend to center around the same questions; and observation of proper etiquette. Children are sent off to school ritualistically with gestures of affection and a wave (a form of blessing, no doubt). Bedtime has its rituals involving words and gestures. Farewe…