Holy Baptism

Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the Church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God.

In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates.

During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant. The water of baptism may be administered by immersion or affusion (pouring over).

Candidates are baptized “in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. The newly baptized is “sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever.”

The Catechism notes that “Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.”

For more information about scheduling a baptism or to learn more about the Sacrament of Baptism please contact the Parish Office or plan a visit with the Rector.