Baptism

Baptism is the term for initiation into the Christian church. The church is much more than any one building. It is the people gathered by God to form the “Body” of Jesus Christ in the world. Baptism is a window—what the church calls a “Sacrament”—to God’s loving work in our own time.

The Church has had many traditions regarding baptism, but it is important to note that baptism is less about hoops, hurdles and rules, and more about a new way to approach life. Baptism orients our whole life to God, with whom we are joined in a bond which lasts forever. In baptism, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and become followers of Jesus Christ. Baptism demands certain responsibilities, but the responsibilities are taken on with joy, peace and freedom.

To become Christian through baptism is not to “leave behind” your body, mind, or past experiences. Instead, whether you are an individual or parent, to be baptized or to have another baptized is to join a personal story with a larger story. All of our joy, grief, and everything in between is important to God. Baptism marks a central belief of Christians: God loves you. You matter to God, who desires that you respond to God’s call to live a full and meaningful life by loving God and those around you.

Baptism is full and complete initiation into this new life and community. It can be entered into by anyone not already baptized by water and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, better known as the Trinity. St. Mary’s, which is part of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, maintains that a person need only be baptized once to participate fully in the life of the Church.

Many people think of baptism as a single moment, a rite of passage which occurs during a church service. At St. Mary’s, we hold that baptism is, even for infants, Godparents, and parents, a process marked by a ceremony, but lived into throughout one’s life. Christians spend their life living into the vows they utter—or have uttered for them—during the ceremony. Therefore, baptism, like all of the Church’s sacraments, is to be entered into with considerable care.

Below are St. Mary's baptismal guidelines for both adults and infants/children:

Adult Baptism
The individual expresses interest to St. Mary’s rector, who will set-up a plan for preparation. Typically, pre-baptismal preparation for adults takes about three months.

Baptism of Infants/Children
Offered four times per year. Infant/child baptisms take place within the context of Sunday worship services. The congregation is present. Because, as we mentioned above, baptism is a window to God’s loving work in our lives, it’s important that the St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo community is present to witness this wonderful occasion and to pledge its support of you and your child.

1.       Parent notifies rector that they are interested in having their infant or child baptized.

2.       Rector meets once with the group of parents (and Godparents, if possible) who are having their child baptized on a given day. At this meeting, the meaning of baptism is discussed.

3.       Godparents, who are also referred to as sponsors: your child must be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors will present the child for baptism during the worship service, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of your child. Therefore, selecting a sponsor(s) is an important decision. At St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo, we ask that at least one parent serves as a sponsor to the child.

4.       If sponsors can’t be present at the meeting prior to the baptism, they will be informed of their duties to help your child grow in the knowledge and love of God at the Baptismal rehearsal, which will take place on the day of the baptism.

For more information on the sacrament of baptism, please contact St.Mary's-in-Tuxedo.

• Personal Assistance
• Baptism
• Holy Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Marriage
• Healing Prayer
• Confession
• Christian Burial