Baptism & Confirmation
The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism in the Episcopal Church is
the sacrament of full initiation into the Church, welcoming individuals of all ages into God's family through water and the Holy Spirit. This public rite occurs during a regular Sunday service and requires sponsors (godparents) who are baptized Christians. Most baptisms are by pouring water, and the candidate is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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THE PROCESS
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Contact the church office or rector to express your desire for baptism (either for yourself or your child).
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Find sponsors: Each candidate needs at least one baptized Christian as a sponsor or godparent.
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Attend preparation: Parents and sponsors of infants, and adults seeking baptism, are required to attend a preparation class to go over the service and discuss the meaning of baptism.
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Participate in the service: Baptism is performed during a regular Sunday worship service and is a communal event where the congregation promises to support the newly baptized.
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Sponsor's role: Sponsors make vows and promises on behalf of the candidate
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860). It is usually a process undertaken by teenagers as they move toward adulthood.
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Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412). Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed.
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The Prayer Book rite for Confirmation includes forms for Reception and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. Those who have returned from a time of religious inactivity to an active practice of faith may publicly reaffirm their baptismal vows. Others who have experienced a renewal of faith or desire to renew their Christian commitment may also reaffirm their baptismal vows. Reaffirmation may be repeated, depending on the pastoral needs of the person.
Preparation for Confirmation should help the candidates discover the meaning of Christian commitment in their lives, and explore ways that their Christian commitment can be lived.
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