HOLY BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is the foundational sacrament of the Christian Church. According to the Book of Common Prayer, Baptism is “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church” (p. 298). In Baptism, we die with Christ in his death, and rise to new life through his resurrection from the dead. We shed our old selves and enter into a new life, sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. In Baptism, a person becomes a full member of the Body of Christ, and in the Episcopal Church, all baptized persons are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

In the Episcopal Church, we baptize both infants and adults. And because of the importance of Holy Baptism, we take baptismal preparation seriously. Parents and godparents of children who are to be baptized are asked to meet with Father Kyle for pre-baptismal instruction. And adults are invited to participate in our Pilgrims in Christ adult formation class, which is modeled on the ancient catechumenate and intended to prepare people for Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows.

At the Church of the Good Shepherd, we reserve Baptism to All Saints’ Day (or the Sunday afterwards), the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, the Great Vigil of Easter, or the Day of Pentecost, in accordance with the recommendation of the Book of Common Prayer. Baptism always takes place in the context of a Mass, so that the community of gathered Christians can pledge to support the newly baptized in their life in Christ.

If you are seeking Baptism or the Baptism of your child, please contact Father Kyle. He would be delighted to speak with you about this!