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Arranging
Baptisms
We
are very happy that you are interested
in baptism for yourself or a member of
your family. To help you plan and prepare,
here is an outline of what you need to
know to begin the process.
The
Baptismal Commitment
Holy Baptism is the essential first sacrament of Christian faith.
For children or infants as well as for adults it is therefore to
be entered into with serious preparation. For an adult who seeks
baptism, this means study about Christian faith and participation
in the life of the Christian community here at St. Paul’s.
For a family that brings a child or infant to be baptized, it means
making a sincere commitment to bringing the child up as a Christian,
as a member of St. Paul’s or, if the family does not reside
here, of some other Christian church where the family lives.
The Christian Identity
At the heart of the liturgy of Baptism is “The Baptismal Covenant,” which is a solemn pledge committing oneself or one’s child and one’s family to formation in a Christian identity. This means that all those involved in the baptism—parents, godparents (also called sponsors), and adults being baptized--must be willing to affirm their own Christian faith and commitment. Adults make this commitment on behalf of infants and young children, who when they come to the age of confirmation (fourteen or thereabouts) will then have the opportunity to make that commitment in their own right.
Accordingly,
parents and godparents must be willing
to make several pledges of their own.
They must be willing to declare their
rejection of the spiritual forces of
evil that corrupt
and destroy. They must be willing to
affirm their acceptance of Jesus Christ
as Savior and Lord; and they must be
willing to pledge their life-long support
to helping the person being baptized
develop “into the full stature
of Christ.”
The
Christian Community
From its beginnings Christianity has been a religion practiced with
the support and challenge of the community of believers. At baptism,
the Christian congregation pledges its support to the person being
baptized. The person being baptized, or the godparents and sponsors,
in turn pledge to live in ways that reflect the example and honor
the teachings of Jesus. They also commit themselves to on-going participation
in the life of the community—its worship and sacraments, its
fellowship, its education, its ministry to the world around it.
Initiating
the Process
If you find that you are drawn to this parish and wish to be baptized
here, or to present a child for baptism, we invite you to begin a
conversation with one of the clergy or staff members. Depending on
where you or your family might be in your Christian pilgrimage and
in your knowledge about Christianity and the Episcopal Church, preparation
for baptism will involve differing levels of instruction. To seek
more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the church
office, 259-3013 and leave a message for Rev. Niki Kimes, Ext. #18.
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Some
frequently asked questions about baptism.
1. How many godparents must / may I have? One baptized person is required
as a godparent /sponsor; there may be as many others as desired, as
long as they are baptized.
2. Must a godparent have any special qualifications? The godparent
/sponsor must have been baptized and must be willing to make the pledges
contained in the ceremony. These are pledges to renounce evil, to accept
the Lordship of Jesus Christ, to help the person being baptized mature
as a Christian, and to participate in the work and worship of the Church.
3. What is the “church sponsor”? The church sponsor is
an active member of St. Paul’s who by standing with the person
being baptized represents the commitment of the parish to helping that
person mature as a Christian. In the case of a person or family new
to the parish, a task of the parish sponsor is to help the newcomers
to meet people at St. Paul’s and to help them find their way
into parish activities and opportunities.
4. May we have a private baptism? Our guide on this matter is The Book
of Common Prayer, which states that “Holy Baptism is appropriately
administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday
or other feast. “ Accordingly, we try to schedule baptisms at
the 9:15 service, or at one of the other Sunday services. Of course,
emergency baptism can be administered at any time.
5.
Are there seasons when baptisms are not scheduled? Baptisms
are not scheduled during the seasons of Advent (the four
weeks preceding Christmas) and Lent (the six weeks preceding
Easter).
6. Are baptisms conducted at all three services? Yes, although the
preference as noted above is for the 9:15 service, when there are more
children and a larger congregation present.
7. I would like for my grandchildren to be baptized here at St. Paul’s.
Can this be arranged? That depends on both pastoral and theological
considerations. If the parents live elsewhere it is most appropriate
for their child to be baptized there, in the Christian community the
parents are part of. Sometimes, however, young parents have to move
from community to community before enduring relationships can be established.
In such cases, it may be appropriate for the child to be baptized at
St. Paul’s. The parents must be willing, however, to make the
pledges relating to Christian commitment—including the pledge
to bring the child up within a Christian community of faith. This means
that they will make good faith efforts to join a church in the community
where they live, before and after the baptism of their child.
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Blessings
to you as you consider this step in Christian faith
and growth.
We look forward to talking with you in person about it.
The Reverend Nicki Kimes, Assistant to the Rector
The Rev. Bennett Brockman, Rector
© 2003 St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church, All Rights Reserved.
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