Holy Baptism

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, administered with water and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” is initiation into the Christian Church where the individual is joined mystically to Jesus Christ and His Church, receives forgiveness of sins and is regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The liturgy describes the water of baptism in this way: “In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit” (The Book of Common Prayer [1979], p 306).

Because the Sacrament of Baptism is the sacrament of entrance and initiation into the Body of Christ, the “one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church” named in the Nicene Creed, Baptism is a prerequisite to receiving Holy Communion at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Those who have not yet received Holy Baptism, including adults who are receiving instruction in the Christian faith, are still invited forward to the Altar Rail during the Eucharist to receive a blessing from one of the priests. The custom in the Roman Catholic Church and in much of the Anglican Communion 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 a Church of the Incarnation near the end of the first grade.

This page includes details about The Baptism of Infants and Young Children, as well as The Baptism of Adults; the Membership Requirements for those who would like to be baptized at Incarnation, and details about how to go about Scheduling a baptism.

2010 Baptism Dates & Locations

The 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.

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.


• 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.


• 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 on a Saturday morning.

The Baptism of Adults

The Rite of Holy Baptism in The Book of Common Prayer [1979] assumes that the baptism of older children and adults is the normative expression of the sacrament. As the liturgy explains, Baptism is for those who express their desire to be baptized in response to the Gospel:

“In joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith” (pp. 306-307).

All adults who desire to be baptized (and confirmed; click here for more information about Confirmation) must attend “The Adult Confirmation Class”, the seven-week Adult Confirmation class that is offered each Fall and Spring (during Lent) for all adults who are seeking Baptism and/or Confirmation. Those classes are required and culminate with the visit of the diocesan bishop both near the end of the Fall and during the Easter season.

Membership Requirements at Church of the Incarnation

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a sacrament of initiation not simply into the Body of Christ but into a local, Eucharistic expression of that community – a parish. Thus, it is vital that those who wish to be baptized at Church of the Incarnation be connected participants of this community. Accordingly, the adult or older child, or at least one of the parents of a young child, must be a member of this parish who has supported the life of the parish by regular, Sunday attendance for at least six months and with a pledge of financial support on record. To become a member, one must participate in the Incarnation 101 and either be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, or, if one is already an Episcopalian, have their membership transferred to this parish.

Scheduling

Baptism Schedule - 2010 Dates and Locations

As The Book of Common Prayer [1979] directs (p. 312), the administration of Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Great Vigil of Easter, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day (or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day) and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). Baptisms are thus scheduled on these feasts days in the months in which the fall (i.e. the only baptisms that will be administered in the month of November will be on the Sunday after All Saints’ Day). In addition, baptism is administered be scheduled on the third Sunday of the month (excluding the seasons of Lent and Advent) at one the 9:00 & 11:15 am a.m. celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

The Book of Common Prayer [1979] also directs that the Sacrament of Holy Baptism be administered “within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast” (p. 298). The Baptismal Liturgy assumes the entire congregation to be an integral part of the initiation of a new Christian through Holy Baptism. The Congregation is asked if they will “do all in their power to support these persons in their life in Christ” (pp. 303). The introduction of new Christians is the concern of the whole parish family and our support of the newly baptized as members of the Body of Christ, the Church, is essential. As such, Baptisms that are not administered within a celebration of the Holy Eucharist on a Sunday or the Feasts mentioned above are reserved for situations of great, pastoral necessity.

If you wish to be baptized, or wish to schedule the baptism of your child, please contact the member of the parish clergy whom you would like to administer this Sacrament. Click here to see the clergy team.