A Customary for Holy Baptism

Next Baptism Dates:

• 28 September
• 26 October
• 7 December
• 4 January 2009
• Other dates will be considered upon request

What is Holy Baptism?

"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble." (The Book of Common Prayer 298.) Full initiation means that nothing else will be required for a person to have full membership in the Church. Baptism is the sacramental rite that admits the believer to the Holy Eucharist and to participate in the life of the congregation.

The Prayer Book also says that the union established between the person baptized and God is permanent. Those who are baptized in the Name of the Holy Trinity are united to Christ and other baptized people forever. God remains faithful to the covenant that he made with us in Baptism even when we are unfaithful.

Why do we Baptize?

Christian baptism has its historical roots in Jewish proselyte or convert baptism. In Jewish baptism, the individual entered the baptismal water with an old identity and name. After baptism the individual was given a new Jewish name and identity. They were considered dead to their former life. This included their sinful history. Their past and their old name was never mentioned again within the community of faith. John the Baptizer recognized that all continue to sin in spite of their identification with the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their spiritual descendants. He took the old Jewish baptism and gave it a deeper meaning. His baptism offered the Jewish people an opportunity to confess their on-going sinful nature.

Jesus received this baptism of John in the River Jordan. In this act Jesus demonstrated his solidarity with humanity and pointed the way to the new spiritual life of grace and mission. At his baptism the Holy Spirit revealed that Jesus is the Son of God. Those baptized in faith and obedience to the commands of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life in Jesus’ Name. At the end of Matthew's account of the Gospel, our Lord commands the disciples to evangelize and baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19).

In the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament writings we see the disciples responding faithfully in mission and many people are baptized into the church. The reports of those events frequently describe the reception of the Holy Spirit by the newly baptized. From the beginning the Church has required Baptism as a sign and seal of incorporation into Christ and the Church. The symbolism of Baptism is both powerful and important. Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:3ff). Baptism symbolizes our being washed clean of all sin and being reborn to new life in the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 5:17-21). Finally, baptism symbolizes our incorporation into the mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Who may be baptized?

Anyone who desires baptism for the reasons stated may be baptized. Any infant or child with baptized parents or baptized guardians and baptized sponsors may be baptized provided these adults are willing to insure that the child will be brought up in the "knowledge and love of the Lord." Holy Baptism is full incorporation into the church. This includes the expectation that the adults will be active members of the congregation at the time of the baptism and will continue to be active members of the congregation after the baptism. In other words, they will be in communion with the baptizing community.

All persons baptized in water in the name of the Holy Trinity are welcome at the Lord’s Supper in the Episcopal Church. In addition, anyone baptized in any other church or Christian denomination with water under the Trinitarian formula ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"), is considered to be fully baptized and requires no re-baptism or other act for membership in this church.

What are the responsibilities of those baptized?

People baptized into Christ's one holy catholic and apostolic church are expected to grow in the faith into which they have been incorporated by this sacrament. This means that they will resist and renounce evil in their lives and wherever it is encountered, follow Christ as their Lord and Savior, and put their whole trust in the love of God as revealed in Christ Jesus. As Paul wrote, "If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Anyone who has been baptized is expected to live as a new person, a new creation in Christ. That new state of life may manifest itself in many ways in love and service of neighbor as our Lord has given us the example.

Since baptism is often performed with infants, it is most critical that the parents and sponsors of the child also be baptized and practicing Christians, so they may by their "prayers and witness help [the] child to grow into the full stature of Christ." (BCP 302). We do not baptize infants or children unless their families are active members of the Church.

How is someone prepared for Baptism?

Adults entering the church through Baptism are expected to experience a program of instruction and iinitiation into the Christian religion.

In the case of infants and small children, the parents and sponsors of the candidate are expected be practicing baptized members of the Church. They are also required to meet with the Rector (or someone he designates) for pre-baptismal instructions. We strive to insure that everyone involved in the baptism and upbringing of a child in the Christian faith many have adequate instruction relative to the responsibilities and joys of church membership and life in Christ.

What are the roles of sponsors, parents, and godparents in the life of the Baptized?

Adults will normally have a sponsor who is a mature adult Christian willing to act as companion and mentor to the candidate. A sponsor provides encouragement and instruction and acts as a prayer-partner with and for the person to be baptized. In other words, a baptismal sponsor is a fellow pilgrim in Christ with the candidate. The role of parents and godparents in infant baptism is enormous. These persons make the vows of the baptismal covenant in the name of and for the sake of a candidate who is not mature enough to speak for himself or herself. It is a great responsibility, as well as a great joy, to nurture a child in the Christian faith.

So sponsorship is not a function to be entered into lightly for those people who act in this role are committing themselves to a lifelong journey in the faith with the child whom they sponsor. Godparents must be baptized and practicing Christians. They should be active communicants of the Church into which the infant or child is baptized. If you have any questions concerning the choice of sponsors or godparents, please speak to the Rector.

When is Baptism done?

"Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast." (BCP 298). In addition, there are special occasions during the liturgical year when Baptism is particularly appropriate. Those times include the day of Pentecost, All Saints' Day, or the Sunday after All Saints' Day, and on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after Epiphany).

Any time that the Bishop visits is an appropriate time for baptism. The baptismal days are spaced throughout the year in such a way that it should not be inconvenient to wait until an appropriate time to administer this sacrament.

All of this is to show that Holy Baptism is the rite of incorporation into the community of the faithful. Therefore, it is most important that the community be gathered to share the Holy Communion whenever Baptism is administered and private baptisms are not scheduled. In the case of the Bishop's visit, the Bishop is the symbol of the larger church, and the unity that we share in Christ.

Any time someone is baptized by the Bishop, the symbolism of the catholicity of the church is made clear. Therefore, it should be obvious that private baptism is not normative in the Episcopal Church and is not used except in cases of dire emergency. And when private baptism is administered, that person should be received into the congregation as a new brother or sister in Christ as soon as the person baptized is able to attend worship.

The heart of the baptismal service is found in the statement: "We welcome you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection and share with us in his eternal priesthood." (BCP 308) This statement presumes that a unique thing has happened and a unique story is to be told by those received into participation with the believing community. We find this to be a profoundly joyful event.

Application for Baptism.

When you are ready to schedule a baptism, complete an application and submitted it to Church Office. We use the requested information to complete the baptismal certificate, the sponsor certificates, and the parish baptism register. You may obtain a copy to complete by downloading the Application for Holy Baptism.

Additional notes on the logistics of Holy Baptism.

The Rector (and/or someone he designates) will meet with all baptismal candidates in a rehearsal session prior to the time of the service, so that all persons involved will be familiar and comfortable with the rite. It is also expected that all sponsors, parents, and godparents be present for this rehearsal.

The Rector (or his assistant) will officiate at baptisms in the parish except with a Bishop is present. When a Bishop is present, he is the officiant. At such times the Bishop may delegate the baptism to the Rector.

The taking of photographs is not allowed during a worship service. Instead, a photographic opportunity will be provided following the conclusion of the service. However, the service may be video-taped from a stationary tripod located in the balcony.

It is appropriate that all present at the baptism be able to see and hear what is happening. We invite you to move to a better location if your vision or hearing is obstructed. Children are especially invited to come forward so that they may see and hear.

If more than one person is to be baptized, the order will be that the oldest is baptized first, and the youngest, last.

The parish by custom provides a reception following the service. We cordially invite all present to join us in welcoming our new sister or brother into the community of the faithful.

If you wish another Episcopal priest from outside of the parish to participate in the baptism, please speak privately with the Rector before you speak with the other clergy person. If he agrees with the request, the Rector will extend the invitation and discuss the logistics of the service well ahead of time. Also, it is expected that any visiting and assisting clergy be present for the rehearsal session. In all cases the parish clergy will officiate at the service.

Bibliography

Baptismal Moments; Baptismal Meanings. Daniel Stevick. Church Hymnal Corp. New York. NY. 1987.

The Baptismal Mystery and the Catechumenate. Michael W. Merriman. The Church Hymnal Corp. New York. NY. 1990.

The Book of Common Prayer. Oxford University Press. New York. NY. 1979.

The Catechumenal Process. The Church Hymnal Corp. New York. NY. 1990.

The Meaning of Christian Water Baptism for Your Child. William H. Venable. Rivertree Christian Ministries. Pittsburgh. PA. 2000.

Mission Implications in the Episcopal Baptismal Liturgy. Walter L. Ellis. APS. Austin. TX. 1993.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. Revised Standard Version. Oxford University Press. New York. N.Y. 1977.

E Mail us at the Parish Office or call us at (713) 781-1330 for more details.