Baptisms at St. Mary's

What is baptism?

Baptism is the rite by which persons are made full members of the church. Using water and the name of the Trinity, Baptism initiates individuals not as Episcopalians, but as Christians. An Episcopal baptism at St. Mary’s is recognized by almost all other Christian denominations.

In the our tradition, a person may be baptized at any age. Adults participate in classes to prepare them for the sacrament. Adult baptism usually takes place at the Easter Vigil, the first service of Easter day.

Infants and children may also be baptized at St. Mary’s. Typically, baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, especially on those days (such as All Saints or Pentecost) when the meaning of baptism can be particularly highlighted. On baptismal Sundays, we offer baptism during any of our regularly scheduled worship services, so that individuals or families may choose the service they attend most often. A class and a rehearsal are scheduled before each baptism to prepare parents and godparents.

Whether for a child or an adult, baptism is “the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God's family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.” (from the Book of Common Prayer, page 858)

To learn more about baptism, please speak with Pam Frick.  To see the current schedule for Baptisms, click  HERE.