Baptisms

Baptism is an acknowledgment of the love God has for all of us, and a commitment to follow in Christ’s ways. Adults who are seeking baptism are required to meet with a priest from the Church to discuss the implications and commitment inherent in baptism. Parents who would like their children baptized are also required to do so.

All baptisms take place at a regularly scheduled Sunday service unless there is an extreme emergency. Ideally, baptisms are reserved for Sundays that remind of us the meaning and importance of baptism. These are:

• Easter Vigil or Easter Day – when we all share in the resurrection life, which is symbolized in baptism.
• Pentecost – when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, also emphasized in baptism.
• All Saints Sunday – when we celebrate the community of saints we join by virtue of our baptism.
• The Feast of the baptism of our Lord (first Sunday after January 6) – to emphasize that in baptism we commit to following Christ.
• The Bishop’s Visit – in our church the Bishop represents the history of the baptized community across time that the newly baptized joins.

Parents should take great care in selecting godparents or sponsors. These should be people of faith who are already baptized themselves. Their primary role is to help support the child’s understanding of the faith as they grow toward adulthood.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]