Baptism and Confirmation

Holy Baptism is Jesus Christ's command and his gift to his Church. It is the rite by which we become members of his mystical Body. By God's grace, our baptism gives us the name by which God knows us, initiates us into the community of the church, forgives us and brings us to Christ's Holy Table, the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Baptism is once and for all. It is our baptism which formally constitutes our being Christian.

 

Holy Baptism is not simply a symbolic act, but a reality. In our baptism, we are truly born anew by water and the Spirit.  Because that newness must be nurtured and brought to maturity, Holy Baptism is a corporate act. It is an action of the People of God, the Church. Parents, godparents, sponsors, and the entire congregation participate in the Rite of Holy Baptism by the reaffirmation of their own baptismal vows and their promise to support the newly baptized. It is essential, therefore, that baptism be administered (except in an emergency) within the context of the worshipping community, during a regularly scheduled Holy Eucharistic.

 

In that way, the two sacraments commanded by our Lord are seen as a whole. The water rite of Baptism is the sign of our participation in Christ's death and resurrection. Through it we are enabled to share in his gift of forgiveness and to be nourished at his Holy Table by his Body and Blood.

 

Infant baptism is the normative practice of the Episcopal Church, and indeed of the majority of Christendom since the Early Church established itself. But because baptism is not merely a christening or naming ceremony, the Church does not seek to baptize the children of those outside the community or those who do not intend to raise their children within the worshipping community. In general, at least one parent of the infant should be a practicing communicant of the Church. Godparents or sponsors must be baptized Christians and are appropriately chosen from the candidate's congregation.

 

In our contemporary secular society, many people come to adulthood without having been baptized. We welcome them to our fellowship, but cannot invite them to the Holy Table until they are baptized. They, too, must be sponsored by baptized Christians.

The Occasions for Baptism

 

Holy Baptism is administered at the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, All Saints Day, the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, during the Bishop's Visitation (BCP p. 312), or at the principal service of the day (BCP p. 298). Requests for exceptions to this policy must be made to the clergy and Liturgy Committee.

 

Who is to be Baptized

 

Children of communicant members canonically resident at St. John the Evangelist should be presented for Holy Baptism at the earliest appropriate occasion after their birth.

 

Because Baptism is a sacrament of the Church, it is most appropriate that those to be baptized be communicants of St. John's. However, the clergy and Liturgy Committee recognize individual circumstances which fall outside this requirement. If this may be the case in your situation, please bring this to our attention.

 

Unbaptized adults who worship with the St. John's community are urged to present themselves for baptism so that they may enter into the grace and gifts of the Lord's Holy Table.

 

Baptismal Preparation

 

Parents, sponsors, godparents, and adult candidates for Holy Baptism are required to meet with the clergy prior to the baptism. Basic instruction in the meaning of the sacrament and the role of sponsors will be given.  Other topics and the number of sessions necessary are at the discretion of the clergy.

 

The Rite of Baptism

 

Holy Baptism is administered at the principal celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is appropriate for other family members to gather with candidates, parents and sponsors at the font. The children of the parish are also invited to gather at the font so that they may clearly see and participate in the act of baptism.

 

The Holy Communion

 

All newly baptized, including infants, may make their first communion at the same service as their baptism. To withhold the sacrament from the newly baptized by reason of age or instruction is to deny a channel of God's grace. Questions about this should be discussed with the clergy. Instructions for communicating infants are available from the clergy.

 

Concerning Photographs

 

Photographs of the newly baptized should be taken after the service.  It is requested that NO FLASH pictures be taken during the service. Non-flash photographs and videos may be taken ONLY if the photographer remains in place and does not leave his/her pew and walk around during the service. These restrictions also apply to confirmation.

 

Receptions

 

At the regular Fellowship Hour following the principal service, it is appropriate, though certainly not required, for families of the newly baptized to provide cake or other festive refreshment for the congregation. On the occasion of the Bishop's visit, the parish hosts a reception for the Bishop and those who are confirmed. Any questions regarding receptions should be directed to the Hospitality Guild, parish office, or clergy.

 

The Use of Incense

 

Incense may be used at those services designated by the Book of Common Prayer as most appropriate for baptism.  On all other occasions of baptism at a principal service, incense may be used unless the clergy and Liturgy Committee are notified before noon on the Monday prior to the baptism that it will cause physical distress for a member of the candidate's family or guests.

General Information

The sacrament of Confirmation is the public statement and affirmation before a Bishop of faith and commitment to one's baptismal vows. Confirmation is the "laying on of hands" by the Bishop. Those baptized at the usual early age are confirmed by the laying on of hands when sufficiently mature and properly instructed (which is why the Bishop does not regularly baptize infants or small children during his regular visits to our parish). In general, those to be confirmed should be regular in attendance at worship and should have completed an inquirers' class or confirmation course. Adults who have been baptized in other Christian communions should be active participants in the full life of the community. These persons are confirmed or received, depending on their previous church affiliation.

CONFIRMATION

Each candidate must have at least one sponsor. All sponsors must be baptized Christians. Sponsors signify by their presence their willingness to help the newly baptized grow as Christians.

 

Qualification for Godparents

 

Sponsors of infants and children are call "godparents".  Parents and other family members may be godparents. Though the medieval custom of two godparents of the same sex and one of the opposite is a long-standing tradition in the Episcopal Church, any number of godparents may be chosen.

 

The Selection of Sponsors

and Godparents

 

Adult candidates and parents of baptismal candidates are encouraged to select sponsors and godparents from among the parish community, so that these persons may be special support for the newly baptized as they grow in the life of the church. Sponsors and godparents should not simply be baptized "friends". They should be individuals who will take very seriously the responsibility of seeing that the candidate is brought up and nourished in the Christian faith. Sponsors and godparents ought understand the importance of making this commitment to the candidate.

Concerning Sponsors

All persons interested in the possibility of being confirmed must attend a series of inquirers' classes offered by the clergy or others in association with the Education Committee. Content includes: salvation history, Jesus Christ, Holy Scripture, the sacraments, history and tradition of the Church (with special emphasis on Anglican history), and living out one's baptismal vows (with emphasis on the making of moral and ethical decisions).

 

Attendance at such classes does not obligate anyone to be confirmed. The decision about confirmation is made in consultation with clergy at the conclusion of the inquirers' classes.

 

The Occasions for Confirmation

 

Confirmation in the Episcopal Church is the "laying on of hands" by a Bishop.  Candidates are confirmed during the principal service on the day of the Bishop's visitation or at arranged times of confirmation at other locations in the Diocese (for example at the Cathedral or at a specified Deanery location).

 Preparation