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Baptisms
Click here to view Baptism Class Schedule and Information
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 full initiation
into the Christian Church where the individual is joined mystically to
Jesus Christ and to all members of His Church. 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, p 306).
Because the Sacrament of Baptism is the Sacrament of entrance and
initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ, 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 is offered to children at
a Church of the Incarnation in the first grade. Nonetheless, all
baptized Christians who come forward in faith, confessing their sins,
are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
Membership Requirements
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a sacrament of initiation into not simply 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
Newcomer’s Class 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
As The Book of Common Prayer
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,
Holy Baptism may 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, with no more than three baptisms occurring per liturgy.
The Book of Common Prayer
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.
The Baptism of Adults
The Baptismal Liturgy works under the assumption that baptism of older
children and adults is the fullest expression of the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism. This Sacrament is for those who express their desire to be
baptized in response to the Gospel, as the liturgy explains: “In joyful
obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to
him in faith” (pp. 306-307). When an older child or adult desires to be
baptized, a period of instruction with one of the parish clergy is a
necessary part of their preparation, along with regular attendance at
the Sunday Eucharist and, optimally, full participation in the Adult
Inquirer’s Class.
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, as well as the
teaching of the Apostles’ Creed which is the substance of the baptismal
affirmation and the Christian faith (see The Book of Common Prayer, pp.
302-305, for the Creed along with these affirmation s and vows).
• Parents (and godparents, if they are able) are expected to attend the Baptism
class offered bi-annually at Incarnation (see below for further more
details). These classes are taught for five or six
weeks in the Fall and during the Sundays of Lent. If attendance is not
possible, the parents must meet at least once with a member of the
Incarnation clergy before the Sacrament is administered to discuss the
meaning of Baptism.
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.
Baptismal Class for Parents
Fall 2008: October 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16 & 23
Lent 2009: February 22 (Sunday before Ash Wednesday); March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time and Location: Sundays, 10:20 - 11:05 am in the Bethlehem Chapel
Fr Olver leads Incarnation’s bi-annual class designed for
the parents and godparents of children who have been or will be baptized. The
Sacrament of Baptism is an important event in the life of an individual and
their family. The class will explore the
origins of baptism in Scripture as well as what our Prayer Book and Anglican
tradition teach us about this Sacrament of Initiation. We will also look at the role of godparents
and how to choose one, along with practical advice on how to incorporate the
Christian faith in the daily life of your family, with particular care being
given to using the Prayer Book. Parents and godparents enter into a profound covenant
with God and the Church when they present a child for Baptism. The purpose of the class is to give parents
the information and the tools to take seriously the vocation to raise their children “in
the Christian faith and life” and, “by your prayers and witness help this child
to grow into the full stature of Christ” (Prayer Book, 302).
Contact Father Olver for more information.
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