baptism
Baptism and the Episcopal Church
(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer and Glossary of the Episcopal Church)
Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the church. In baptism God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person. 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 (who are often godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves. 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. 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 celebrant and congregation welcome the newly baptized. Baptism is celebrated within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast.
The Catechism notes that “Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.” The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, “who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him”. Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint’s Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany).
Baptism at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
If you are seeking baptism for yourself or for a child, or if you have questions, please contact the church office at 920.854.9600. Baptismal preparation is required other than in times of a life-threatening emergency.
