| Baptism at St. Luke's |
Baptism at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
We are delighted that you are considering baptism for yourself or your child. It is our greatest joy in the church to welcome new members into the family of God. By seeking Baptism you have recognized that there is something more, something deeper in life than what exists on the surface. That something is the Divine Presence among us. Baptism is a wonderful first step in deepening our awareness of that Divine Presence and nourishing it in ourselves and those who are dear to us: our families, our children, our friends. For Baptism is all about our relationship to God and to others. We believe that through this sacrament you will experience the power and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
St. Luke’s is a spiritual community that is a place of welcome and spiritual nurture for children and adults. As you begin your journey of faith here at St. Luke’s, we are thankful to be sharing this most significant time with you. In Baptism we are marked as Christ’s own forever. And this is something in which we can all rejoice. We look forward to assisting you in preparing for the Baptism of yourself or your child. This is an exciting time for you. Enjoy it!
Please feel free to contact me directly about preparing and arranging for Baptism. I can be reached either by email at revjccampo@aol.com or by phone at 914-961-7232. I very much look forward to hearing from you. I hope that you will find the information included here helpful. I will, of course, be happy to answer any questions you may have when we meet. It is our hope that your experience will be as joyful as possible.
Some Information about Baptism
The rite for Holy Baptism as expressed in the Book of Common Prayer provides guidance in understanding Baptism as an action of celebration along one's spiritual journey which signifies: 1. transformation of life 2. identification with God and the purposes of God through Jesus Christ 3. incorporation into the Church 4. the gift of Holy Spirit to direct and inform one's mission in the world.
Because of the centrality of the sacrament of Baptism to the Christian life and for the Church, it is to be celebrated in Church, on Sundays, at the main liturgy, with full ceremonial and music. Since Baptism is the welcoming of a new member into the household of God and the specific community that is St. Luke’s, Baptisms take place in the midst of the community’s Sunday celebration of the Eucharist at 10:00 a.m.
Baptism is so significant that we ask those seeking Baptism either for themselves or for their children to consider exactly what they are doing, promising, and pledging. According to the Book of Common Prayer, “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, page 298).
In the Baptismal liturgy the candidates who can speak for themselves and/or the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of the infants and younger children promise to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers." This language means that the one being baptized and/or the parents of the child are promising to learn about the faith (the apostles' teaching), maintain active participation in the church (the apostles' fellowship), regularly attend the Eucharist (the breaking of the bread), and develop an active life of prayer (the prayers.)
This means is that you are making a commitment to the Church which includes regular church attendance, Christian formation and education, and participation in the community. Since Baptism is the primary entrance rite of the church, all baptized persons are full members of the church. As such, there is no “first Communion” in the Episcopal Church. Episcopalians therefore welcome and encourage all those who have been baptized to receive communion. Baptized infants should receive Holy Communion regularly. Ongoing specific instruction about Communion should take place both in the home and during Sunday School.
The promises you will be making are so important that we want to insure that no one makes them hypocritically or without fully understanding their import. If you just want to have your child "done" without becoming a part of the church, Baptism is not for you. It would be better to simply give thanks to God for the birth or adoption of the child (for which we have a ritual) and to defer Baptism until such a time as you or the child are ready to make the commitment that Baptism entails.
If you are planning a commitment to St. Luke’s and desire to be a part of our faith and common life, then make an appointment with the priest to discuss baptism. In the weeks prior to the Baptism, the parish priest will meet with the family and any available godparents to review the meaning and significance of the Baptismal rite. There will also be a rehearsal before the service itself to enable you to enjoy the Baptism and not worry about the logistics of where to stand or what to say and when to say it. It is preferable that godparents/sponsors attend this rehearsal.
A word about sponsors or godparents: Godparents or Sponsors play an important role in your child’s Baptism. Careful consideration should be given to who in your life is willing and able to take on this role.
A sponsor takes the baptismal vows on behalf of the candidate who is usually unable to answer for him - or herself. In that capacity they promise to "see that the child is brought up in the Christian faith and life" and they are charged to help the child grow "into the full stature of Christ" (Book of Common Prayer, page 302). In the first instance, the sponsors are renewing their own baptismal promises, and, in a sense, including the child in the covenant community defined by those promises (Book of Common Prayer, page 298). This can only be done, we believe, with integrity by those who genuinely believe in the doctrine and are willing to engage in the discipline of those promises.
Each adult candidate is to have at least one sponsor who is an active member of the Episcopal Church. Each infant or younger child is to have at least one sponsor, called a godparent, who will make the baptismal vows on behalf of the child. Such a godparent must, therefore, be an active member of the Episcopal Church. In each of these two cases, other persons whose presence is desired by the family or by the candidate can be witnesses to the baptism, even if they are not members of this church.
While not directly related to Baptism, there are other rites which may be of interest to those thinking about baptism of infants. They include the Blessing of a Pregnant Woman, and the Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child (Book of Common Prayer, page 439-45).
Parents who are thinking about baptism and their responsibilities for the religious upbringing of their children, might also think about making a will, establishing a provision for legal guardianship of their children, and providing for bequests for religious and charitable institutions. There is no fee charged for the sacraments of the church. A gift to the church in the name of the Baptized child is always appropriate and gratefully received. Honorarium to the charity of the priest’s choice is at the couple’s discretion.
We are delighted that you are considering baptism for yourself or your child. It is our greatest joy in the church to welcome new members into the family of God. By seeking Baptism you have recognized that there is something more, something deeper in life than what exists on the surface. That something is the Divine Presence among us. Baptism is a wonderful first step in deepening our awareness of that Divine Presence and nourishing it in ourselves and those who are dear to us: our families, our children, our friends. For Baptism is all about our relationship to God and to others. We believe that through this sacrament you will experience the power and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
St. Luke’s is a spiritual community that is a place of welcome and spiritual nurture for children and adults. As you begin your journey of faith here at St. Luke’s, we are thankful to be sharing this most significant time with you. In Baptism we are marked as Christ’s own forever. And this is something in which we can all rejoice. We look forward to assisting you in preparing for the Baptism of yourself or your child. This is an exciting time for you. Enjoy it!
Please feel free to contact me directly about preparing and arranging for Baptism. I can be reached either by email at revjccampo@aol.com or by phone at 914-961-7232. I very much look forward to hearing from you. I hope that you will find the information included here helpful. I will, of course, be happy to answer any questions you may have when we meet. It is our hope that your experience will be as joyful as possible.
Some Information about Baptism
The rite for Holy Baptism as expressed in the Book of Common Prayer provides guidance in understanding Baptism as an action of celebration along one's spiritual journey which signifies: 1. transformation of life 2. identification with God and the purposes of God through Jesus Christ 3. incorporation into the Church 4. the gift of Holy Spirit to direct and inform one's mission in the world.
Because of the centrality of the sacrament of Baptism to the Christian life and for the Church, it is to be celebrated in Church, on Sundays, at the main liturgy, with full ceremonial and music. Since Baptism is the welcoming of a new member into the household of God and the specific community that is St. Luke’s, Baptisms take place in the midst of the community’s Sunday celebration of the Eucharist at 10:00 a.m.
Baptism is so significant that we ask those seeking Baptism either for themselves or for their children to consider exactly what they are doing, promising, and pledging. According to the Book of Common Prayer, “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, page 298).
In the Baptismal liturgy the candidates who can speak for themselves and/or the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of the infants and younger children promise to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers." This language means that the one being baptized and/or the parents of the child are promising to learn about the faith (the apostles' teaching), maintain active participation in the church (the apostles' fellowship), regularly attend the Eucharist (the breaking of the bread), and develop an active life of prayer (the prayers.)
This means is that you are making a commitment to the Church which includes regular church attendance, Christian formation and education, and participation in the community. Since Baptism is the primary entrance rite of the church, all baptized persons are full members of the church. As such, there is no “first Communion” in the Episcopal Church. Episcopalians therefore welcome and encourage all those who have been baptized to receive communion. Baptized infants should receive Holy Communion regularly. Ongoing specific instruction about Communion should take place both in the home and during Sunday School.
The promises you will be making are so important that we want to insure that no one makes them hypocritically or without fully understanding their import. If you just want to have your child "done" without becoming a part of the church, Baptism is not for you. It would be better to simply give thanks to God for the birth or adoption of the child (for which we have a ritual) and to defer Baptism until such a time as you or the child are ready to make the commitment that Baptism entails.
If you are planning a commitment to St. Luke’s and desire to be a part of our faith and common life, then make an appointment with the priest to discuss baptism. In the weeks prior to the Baptism, the parish priest will meet with the family and any available godparents to review the meaning and significance of the Baptismal rite. There will also be a rehearsal before the service itself to enable you to enjoy the Baptism and not worry about the logistics of where to stand or what to say and when to say it. It is preferable that godparents/sponsors attend this rehearsal.
A word about sponsors or godparents: Godparents or Sponsors play an important role in your child’s Baptism. Careful consideration should be given to who in your life is willing and able to take on this role.
A sponsor takes the baptismal vows on behalf of the candidate who is usually unable to answer for him - or herself. In that capacity they promise to "see that the child is brought up in the Christian faith and life" and they are charged to help the child grow "into the full stature of Christ" (Book of Common Prayer, page 302). In the first instance, the sponsors are renewing their own baptismal promises, and, in a sense, including the child in the covenant community defined by those promises (Book of Common Prayer, page 298). This can only be done, we believe, with integrity by those who genuinely believe in the doctrine and are willing to engage in the discipline of those promises.
Each adult candidate is to have at least one sponsor who is an active member of the Episcopal Church. Each infant or younger child is to have at least one sponsor, called a godparent, who will make the baptismal vows on behalf of the child. Such a godparent must, therefore, be an active member of the Episcopal Church. In each of these two cases, other persons whose presence is desired by the family or by the candidate can be witnesses to the baptism, even if they are not members of this church.
While not directly related to Baptism, there are other rites which may be of interest to those thinking about baptism of infants. They include the Blessing of a Pregnant Woman, and the Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child (Book of Common Prayer, page 439-45).
Parents who are thinking about baptism and their responsibilities for the religious upbringing of their children, might also think about making a will, establishing a provision for legal guardianship of their children, and providing for bequests for religious and charitable institutions. There is no fee charged for the sacraments of the church. A gift to the church in the name of the Baptized child is always appropriate and gratefully received. Honorarium to the charity of the priest’s choice is at the couple’s discretion.