The Sacrament of Baptism is a happy occasion for the new Christian, for his or her family, and for the community of the church. The information on this web page is designed to orient those new to St. Mark’s and the Episcopal Church to how we understand the sacrament of Baptism. With this awareness, you can tell whether or not this understanding expresses with integrity what you intend by being baptized within the community of St. Mark’s church. If you have any questions or concerns at all, or if you are ready to start planning, please speak with the priest. [click here to email] That contact will start a conversation where you will receive support and guidance as you plan for Baptism and integration into the life of this Christian community.
"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" (Book of Common Prayer, page 298). In Holy Baptism, God adopts us as his children and makes us inheritors of the kingdom of God. Following the commands of our Lord Jesus, the church baptizes people for the forgiveness of sin, and new birth into eternal life in Christ. In Baptism, we are joined with Christ in his death and resurrection—we are “dead to sin and alive to Christ.”
One theologian has noted that there are two parts to baptism: “bath” and teaching: gift and response. Normally, for adults, the teaching comes first—learning about God, and coming to know God in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The liturgy for Baptism begins with the candidate renouncing sin—that which separates us from God, from each other and leaves us broken—and turning to Jesus Christ, accepting him as Savior, trusting in his grace and love, and promising to obey him as Lord. With the promise of support from the community, the candidate then declares the Christian belief (the Apostle’s Creed), and makes specific promises to lead the Christian life. Then the candidate is baptized—washing away sin, and sharing in new relationship with God in Christ that will last eternally. All Baptized Christians may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, no matter their age.
As has been done since the days of the early church, the Episcopal Church also baptizes infants. In this case, the order is reversed—first there is bath, then comes the teaching. We baptize infants, in part, because we believe that the forgiveness of God is a free gift from God—not something that can be earned. The teaching then comes after the “bath,” developing the child in his or her life in Christ through involvement and instruction in the church and in the family. So there is bath and teaching—gift of God and the faithful human response to that gift for both adults and infants. For infants, however, parents and Godparents promise to raise the child in the Christian faith, and make promises on behalf of the candidate. The Candidate can then affirm these promises at Confirmation as an adult. For more information on the Liturgy for Holy Baptism, see the Book of Common Prayer [click here for a link to an online BCP]
Because of the importance of the community of faith in upholding and strengthening the newly baptized (and the family in the case of infants), and because of the promises to continue in the life of the church, Baptism is generally intended for those seeking membership in this parish. To further the integrity of Baptism, preparation is part of baptism for adults or the family of young children.
Adults seeking baptism and parents of children seeking baptism prepare for this step with personal meetings with the priest and other preparation as may be appropriate. Adults seeking to be baptized join in the preparation process for confirmation, joining with others who are renewing and affirming their life in Christ. Confirmands and Baptismal candidates meet weekly for a meal and discussion about various aspects of the Christian faith and life.
The first step in planning the baptism is speaking with the priest about baptism, preparation and scheduling [click here to email]. Baptism takes place within the context of Sunday morning worship. There are four occasions that are particularly appropriate for celebrating Holy Baptism: The First Sunday after Epiphany (usually the first or second Sunday in January), at the Easter Vigil (Saturday night before Easter), Pentecost (seven weeks after Easter) and All Saints Sunday (the first Sunday in November). Extenuating circumstances may allow for scheduling baptism on other dates, but these four are preferred. Because preparation is always involved, the Baptism should be planned at least two months in advance. There are no fees for Baptism, though families often provide Sunday morning refreshments that day.
This Customary is intended to supplement rather than replace the counsel and cooperative efforts of the clergy in planning for this special day. Please use this as a starting point for that personal conversation. God bless you as you plan for baptism!