Baptism & Confirmation
Photo by Kelly Shepherd Photography
Baptism
“…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.” (BCP, p. 858)
We’re glad you’re interested in Baptism at Emmanuel. Whether infant, child, youth, or adult, all are invited to experience the grace of God through the waters of baptism.
Through baptism we are made “children of God” and “members of Christ’s Body, the Church.” Both are important. We take very seriously the community’s promise in the Baptismal liturgy to “do all in our power to support these persons in their life in Christ.”
In the Episcopal tradition, a person may be baptized at any age. Adults participate in classes to prepare them for the sacrament. For infant and child baptisms, a class and a rehearsal are scheduled before each baptism to prepare parents and godparents.
The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in a public rite, almost always on Sundays, and is especially appropriate on the following days: Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). Baptisms are not normally celebrated during the season of Lent.
On baptismal Sundays we offer baptism during our regularly scheduled worship service. If Emmanuel is not already your spiritual home, please consider coming by one Sunday to join in the worship and fellowship. Baptism can be a wonderful first step in becoming part of the Emmanuel community.
Confirmation
… the rite in which we 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 required that those to be confirmed have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Confirmation classes are held for youth and adults once a year before the annual Bishop’s visit. These classes are also required of those that may have been confirmed in another faith and are interested in reaffirming the confirmation vows or being received into this body. The date of the visit changes each year.
