Baptism
“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church”
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).
In the waters of baptism we are lovingly adopted by God into God’s family, which we call the Church, and given God’s own life to share and reminded that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. In the Episcopal tradition, a person may be baptized at any age, but only once. Parents who bring their young children to be baptized make an additional commitment to raise these children in the Christian
faith. And since the Church is, among other things, a community of mutual love and support, parents choose faithful Christian adults as godparents who promise to do all they can to help in raising children
in the faith.
The first step to planning your or your child's baptism is active participation in the life of the local
church. After all, you’re going to be making promises to do just that, and to raise your child within the
fellowship of the Church, the Body of Christ. Otherwise, why would anyone make promises they don’t
intend to keep? You will also be asked to fill in a request for baptism.
Baptisms ordinarily take place on major feast days. On baptismal Sundays, we offer baptism during any
of our regularly scheduled worship services, so that individuals or families may choose the service they
attend most often. Only in extraordinary circumstances (health concerns, emergencies, etc.) are
baptisms celebrated apart from a regular church service. That’s because we are baptized into God’s
family, the Church, which is a greater bond that our natural families, and an eternal one, as well as being
joined to Christ and adopted by his heavenly Father.
GODPARENTS
Consistent with the ancient tradition, it is required that every baptismal candidate have one or more
godparents (for children) or a sponsor (for older kids and adults). Godparents and sponsors really
should be present at the time of the baptism and serve as a Christian friend and mentor throughout
life. Godparents and sponsors must be baptized Christians. Sponsors/godparents must also be active in
their (Christian) faith community, and people with whom you can anticipate a long-term relationship.
Two or more godparents/sponsors per candidate is appropriate.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).
In the waters of baptism we are lovingly adopted by God into God’s family, which we call the Church, and given God’s own life to share and reminded that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. In the Episcopal tradition, a person may be baptized at any age, but only once. Parents who bring their young children to be baptized make an additional commitment to raise these children in the Christian
faith. And since the Church is, among other things, a community of mutual love and support, parents choose faithful Christian adults as godparents who promise to do all they can to help in raising children
in the faith.
The first step to planning your or your child's baptism is active participation in the life of the local
church. After all, you’re going to be making promises to do just that, and to raise your child within the
fellowship of the Church, the Body of Christ. Otherwise, why would anyone make promises they don’t
intend to keep? You will also be asked to fill in a request for baptism.
Baptisms ordinarily take place on major feast days. On baptismal Sundays, we offer baptism during any
of our regularly scheduled worship services, so that individuals or families may choose the service they
attend most often. Only in extraordinary circumstances (health concerns, emergencies, etc.) are
baptisms celebrated apart from a regular church service. That’s because we are baptized into God’s
family, the Church, which is a greater bond that our natural families, and an eternal one, as well as being
joined to Christ and adopted by his heavenly Father.
GODPARENTS
Consistent with the ancient tradition, it is required that every baptismal candidate have one or more
godparents (for children) or a sponsor (for older kids and adults). Godparents and sponsors really
should be present at the time of the baptism and serve as a Christian friend and mentor throughout
life. Godparents and sponsors must be baptized Christians. Sponsors/godparents must also be active in
their (Christian) faith community, and people with whom you can anticipate a long-term relationship.
Two or more godparents/sponsors per candidate is appropriate.