Holy Baptism

“Holy Baptism is the sacrament of full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.” Pg. 298, The Book of Common Prayer

What does it mean to be baptized in the Episcopal Church?

We believe that through Baptism with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are adopted as God’s children, and become members of Christ’s Body and the Communion of Saints.

Along with Holy Eucharist, Baptism is one of the central sacraments of our faith.

We believe in one baptism.  We recognize Holy Baptism in the Trinitarian Formula of other churches and denominations.

Baptism is: “the inward and spiritual grace in 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.” Pg. 856, The Book of Common Prayer.

What is required of us at Baptism?

As an Episcopal Church, Holy Baptism at St. Anne’s is administered in the context of the Sunday morning worship service. We stand as a church community with the candidate for Holy Baptism to support them in their life in the family of God in Jesus, and renew our own Baptismal Covenant as a reminder of what we are part of.

Are you interested in having your infant child baptized, or an older child? Are you interested in being baptized yourself?

The Episcopal Church practices infant baptism, and asks the parents and godparents to make promises to bring up the infant or young child within the Church. At St. Anne’s, we hope that families with children baptized in our church will attend Sunday services with some regularity.

If you are a teenager or an adult, you get to prepare for Holy Baptism and take the Baptismal Vows yourself.

Candidates for Holy Baptism usually have godparents or sponsors who attend the service and promise to support the candidate on their faith journey throughout their lives.

Scheduling Holy Baptism

Before every Baptism, the candidates, parents, and godparents meet with the clergy to learn more about the meaning of Holy Baptism and the liturgy used during Holy Baptism.

Holy Baptism is traditionally administered on these dates: the Easter Vigil (Saturday evening service before Easter Sunday), Pentecost (50 days after Easter Sunday), All Saints’ Day (Sunday closest to November 1) or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day; and The Baptism of our Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany). Contact the office for more information about scheduling Holy Baptism. If you are unable to schedule a Baptism on the traditional Sundays, other Sundays may be arranged at the discretion of the clergy.