Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298.)
The Sacrament of baptism is the moment when the baptized is fully welcomed into the Church and from that moment on the baptized is marked as Christ’s own forever, a gift that can never be taken away.
Many people are baptized as infants as a sign of God’s love and in recognition of their welcome into the church family. The Episcopal Church recognizes baptisms of other Christian traditions. Many adults come to the Episcopal Church from other faiths and some without having been baptized. We welcome all to be baptized.
At Nativity, baptisms are most commonly celebrated on feast days: All Saint’s Day, Feast of the Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost. Other dates for baptism can be arranged.
A clergy person from Nativity meets with the parents who seek to have a child baptized or with the adult seeking baptism to share what baptism might mean in their spiritual life. In this meeting, questions of the faith can be raised in a non-judgmental conversation as we all explore our faith journey together. Selection and expectations of godparents (sponsors) will be discussed at this time as well.
A date for baptism is determined with the clergy person. The Episcopal Church does not celebrate private family baptism. All baptisms are celebrated with the faith community which gathers for Sunday worship.