During the Covid-19 pandemic, important milestones may have to be celebrated in non-traditional ways. If you are interested in discussing the options for baptisms, please contact Reverend Lindsey Briggs.
Baptism is absolutely essential to our understanding of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Through baptism we are named, set aside, and given a vocation to live as a servant of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Daunting, and impossible to do alone.
Being baptized means you are not alone. It means you become a full member of the church, joining your life to the lives of all those who have ever tried to live as Christians. It means tossing your lot in with those sitting in pews next to you Sunday after Sunday, riding the changes and chances of this life not alone but in community.
Baptism with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in whatever denomination, is recognized by the Episcopal Church and therefore there is no need to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized and wish to be, what great news! We would love to be the community that calls you by name and pours water on your head, binding us together as brothers and sisters, and inspiring you for the ministry to which God has called you.
What on earth does that mean? Read on:
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.
This Baptismal Covenant sums up for us what it means to follow Christ. We are connected to our tradition through the creed of our ancestors. We pledge to go to church, and study scripture, and say our prayers. We pledge to live a reflective life and when we have caused harm, to say we’re sorry and to stop. We pledge that we will show with our lives the Good News found in Christ Jesus. And we will work for justice and dignity for absolutely everybody. It’s all there, and at St. Mary’s we remind ourselves of this Baptismal Covenant every Sunday.
We baptize children and babies all the time, but since they are yet too young to understand, we as a community take responsibility for them. We promise to know them by name and teach them the ways of Christ and encourage them to use the gifts God has put in them for the good of the world. We promise to provide them with high quality Sunday Schools, youth groups, service opportunities, and teach them ways to pray and sing.
Their godparents ‘take on’ the Covenant for their godchild, carrying it for them until they can make a mature decision to devote their life to carrying it for themselves.
If you or someone you know is interested in this way of life, please just speak with Rev. Lindsey. She will be thrilled to talk with you about preparing for this Sacrament.
For a full document of how we think about baptism and god parenting, visit here.