Our Policy on Baptism
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is certainly one of the principle Sacraments of Christ's Holy Church. In Baptism, we die unto sin and gain a new birth unto righteousness. This makes us children of grace, members of the Church, which is that one Body under one Head, which is Christ the Lord.
Baptism requires two things: repentance and faith. This is normally rather easy to ascertain in an adult because they can speak of these things. With an infant or young child the matter is different. The Book of Common Prayer teaches that "…by the faith of their Sponsors, infants are received into Christ's Church, become recipients of his grace, and are trained in the household of faith." (p. 292) This is why we as Anglican Christians baptize infants.
Baptism is not a "rite of passage" in the sense of everyday life in our society (e.g., high school graduation) nor is it a social occasion or convention. We baptize a child with the intent that they will be raised in the faith by their parents and godparents. It is for this reason that we will only baptize a child in this place if the family has membership at St. Mary's or if the family is known to the Clergy.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Rector.
Baptism requires two things: repentance and faith. This is normally rather easy to ascertain in an adult because they can speak of these things. With an infant or young child the matter is different. The Book of Common Prayer teaches that "…by the faith of their Sponsors, infants are received into Christ's Church, become recipients of his grace, and are trained in the household of faith." (p. 292) This is why we as Anglican Christians baptize infants.
Baptism is not a "rite of passage" in the sense of everyday life in our society (e.g., high school graduation) nor is it a social occasion or convention. We baptize a child with the intent that they will be raised in the faith by their parents and godparents. It is for this reason that we will only baptize a child in this place if the family has membership at St. Mary's or if the family is known to the Clergy.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Rector.