The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is the primary sacrament by which a person becomes a member of the Church, the Body of Christ. While it is common for infants to be baptized, a person can be baptized at any age.
The Anglican Church upholds the classic threefold immersion, or pouring of water, upon a person’s head while the ordained minister (deacon, priest, or bishop) pronounces the words “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” This is the essential form of Baptism and is the common practice of most Christian Churches today, including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other mainstream Christian Churches. If you have been baptized in another Christian community, you will not need to be baptized again. (However, if you are unsure you were baptized, you can always speak to our pastor.)
Parents seeking baptism for their children need to arrange an initial meeting with our parish priest. Together with the priest, the family will decide on a date for Baptism and the times to meet to discuss our Christian faith.
Adults seeking baptism are invited to also meet with our priest to begin a period of catechesis (learning of the faith) and identify a sponsor who will walk with you as you begin your Christian journey.
While there is no specific list of items you need to know in order to be baptized, it is expected that you will learn the faith and commit to living the life of faith through prayer, worship, and service of others. Baptism is not simply a nice tradition; rather, it is a public commitment to living as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of his Body, the Church. All Christians are called to grow more deeply in relationship with Christ and his people.
If the priest determines you or your child is ready for the sacrament, he will ask you to identify two family members or friends who are baptized Christians and persons of faith to serve as sponsors, or as some call them, godparents. The parish will also identify a person who will serve as your parish sponsor. That person will meet with you and help answer any questions you may have.
If you have already been baptized in another Christian Church but seek to affirm your communion with the Anglican Church, you can also speak to our parish priest to arrange a celebration of reception into the Anglican Church or Confirmation. Those ceremonies are officiated by the bishop when he or she visits our parish.
Finally, to learn more about baptism and to inquire about potential dates, please email or call our pastor.