Table of Contents Introduction Children Youth Adult Sunday Adult Study Special Programs Baptism Commission Members	BAPTISM & CONFIRMATION  Back to St. Mark's Home Introduction Children Youth Adult Sunday Adult Study Special Programs Baptism Commission Members

Baptism in the Episcopal Church

“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.” (BCP, page 298)

In the Episcopal Church, one becomes a “member” when baptized. Infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults are all invited to participate in the sacrament of Baptism. We celebrate Baptism in the context of our Sunday morning worship services. In our tradition, four days during the church year are especially appropriate: on Easter Day, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). Check with a member of our clergy or the church office for the specific dates on which these feast days occur.

Persons desiring to be baptized, or to have a member of their household baptized, are asked to complete an information form available from the church’s Office Manager. Prior to each service of Baptism, we schedule “Baptism Instruction” that includes those being baptized and parents and godparents of children or youth. We also ask that parents or candidates for Baptism participate in the Sunday morning classes offered during Lent in which we discuss the Baptismal Promises found in The Book of Common Prayer. Persons desiring baptism who are new to the Episcopal Church would also benefit from the series “Welcome: The Episcopal Church 101” and a multi-part series entitled “Sacraments.” Information on these and other classes is available at “Adult Sunday Morning Programs.” Please contact a member of the Clergy, our Vestry, or our Worship Commission for more information.

Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

The Book of Common Prayer (our main worship book in the Episcopal Church) calls each baptized person to participate in the sacrament of Confirmation. The prayer book says: “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop” (BCP 1979, page 412).

Each congregation sets forth the process whereby adults (persons age 16 and older) receive the instruction needed prior to confirmation, reception or reaffirmation. St. Mark’s publishes a brochure entitled “Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows: The How-to’s and Wherefores.” This brochure outlines the process adults are asked to follow in order to be presented for confirmation and can be found in the tract rack in the hallway (Concourse) outside our worship space (which we call the Centrum). Persons who have been confirmed in other Christian denominations are asked to participate in the process outlined in the brochure as well. They are then presented to the bishop to be “received” into the communion of the Episcopal Church. Part of the preparation includes participating in several classes; descriptions can be found in the “Adult Sunday Morning Programs” section of this Blue Book. Young people are prepared for Confirmation by participating in the Journey to Adulthood program. A description of this offering can be found in this Blue Book as well.

If you would like to begin this process, please contact one of our clergy, a member of the Vestry, or a member of the Adult Sunday Morning Programs Task Group.