Baptism of Infants and Young Children

The practice of baptizing infants and young children derives from the baptism of adults. The Church does not simply baptize any child, but those who are the children (or in the care) of at least one baptized, Christian parent or guardian. The Church baptizes those who will grow up within the sphere of the Church.

Requirements

Therefore, the Church of the Incarnation has the following requirements for the parents and godparents of infants and young children whom they wish to present for Holy Baptism:

• At least one of the parents must be a baptized member of Incarnation who has supported the life of the parish by regular, Sunday attendance for at least six months and has a pledge of financial support on record. The vows which parents and godparents make on behalf of the child are serious and profound and require that one be active in the Christian faith and life, and in particular, in the life of a local congregation.

• Godparents must be baptized Christians and should be active, mature, faithful members of the Christian Church. Their role is to support and aid parents in their responsibility to raise up the child in the Christian faith and life.

• Parents and godparents must be able to affirm in all good faith and for themselves the promises made on behalf of the child. This includes the Apostles’ Creed, which is understood to be the substance of the baptismal affirmation and the Christian faith (see The Book of Common Prayer [1979], pp. 302-305, for the Creed along with these affirmations and vows).

• Parents (and godparents, if they are able) are required to attend the Baptism Preparation Class for Parents offered quarterly and take place quarterly on Saturday mornings. Click here for more information and dates of the Preparation Class for Parents.

• If the parents are not members of the Parish, but for some pressing reason wish their child to be baptized at Incarnation, they must demonstrate comparable membership in another Parish. A letter or a phone call from the member of the clergy of that parish is required in these cases, and the final decision is made by the Rector.

First Communion

The custom in much of the Christian Church is for children who have been baptized to receive Holy Communion only after a period of age-appropriate instruction. This instruction, called “First Communion Preparation,” is offered to children at Church of the Incarnation in their first grade (click here to find out more information about First Communion.)

Confirmation

Confirmation Preparation takes place at Incarnation during the 6th grade year and is part of the I-Six group. Click here for more information.

Please note the following:

• Baptisms cannot be scheduled less than 3 weeks before the date in question.
• Baptisms that are not administered within a celebration of the Holy Eucharist on a Sunday or the other dates listed are reserved for situations of great, pastoral necessity at the discretion of the clergy.
• Since baptisms introduces a number of changes into the Sunday liturgy, our practice is to help a family find another date if there is only one baptism scheduled on a particular Sunday.

If you wish to schedule the baptism of your child, please contact the member of the parish clergy whom you would like to administer this Sacrament.