Baptism is God's call to us

An INSTRUCTIVE video

Jesus calls us to:

• receive, nurture, and treasure each child as a gift from God
• proclaim the good news to children, in ways that empower them to receive and respond to God's love 
• give high priority to how we prepare and support those who nurture them in faith
• include children as members and full participants in our faith community and in the church's common life of prayer, witness, and service. 

Response to this call begins at the baptism of a child. Because the very young do not understand much of what the Church community holds dear, this responsibility falls primarily to the parents and godparents of the children that are presented for baptism.  Bishop Frank Griswold puts it this way: "Baptism is really God's work." So, when parents and godparents present a child for baptism, it represents their response to God's invitation. By bringing our children to the Church for baptism, we are simply recognizing God's already-existing claim on our lives. Baptism is the way we speak about this relationship between God and God's child, regardless of age. 

Watch this video for more information on the baptism of your child at St. Luke's. The instructor is The Rev'd Anne Kitch. Rev'd Kitch is a noted author on children, families, and the Church. 

As Rev'd Kitch indicated, there are some other things to consider as you  present your child for baptism. This is the subject of what makes up our pre-baptimal program at St. Luke's. 

Your Child's Baptism at St. Luke's

Special Days for Baptisms/scheduling a baptism

To help parents and godparents in their responsibilities, St. Luke's offers opportunities for personal reflection on their faith and on the responsibilities their are undertaking, especially when it is their first time presenting a child for baptism. To take advantage of these opportunities, parents are asked to contact the parish at least two months before the desired date of the baptism. At that time, arrangements will be made for an in-person meeting with a parish priest for some time in the future.

Meanwhile, you will receive information, which will be used along with the Book of Common Prayer to prepare for the meeting. We would like to share that information with the child's godparents, if they are already chosen, so please be sure to give their contact information to the parish at the time you call. If you haven't chosen godparents quite yet, that's perfectly o.k. There will be plenty of time to do so as we move forward. At the meeting you schedule with your parish priest, you will discuss the your own understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. If at all possible, it would be ideal for your child's designated godparents to participate with you. 

Baptisms are celebrated in the midst of the Church as it assembles for worship. We do this because part of what happens at baptism makes your child part of a "family of faith" - the brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus. Just about any Sunday is an appropriate day for a baptism (except the Sundays of Advent and Lent). However, there are some very special days when baptism is especially meaningful. These include:

• The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (in early January)
• The Great Vigil of Easter (the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday)
• The Feast of Pentecost (50 days after Easter)
• The Feast of All Saints (Sunday after November 1st). 

These days are especially meaningful because the liturgy celebrated on each of these days calls to mind the meaning of baptism as a sharing in the mission of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Baptism is usually celebrated at the principal service of the day (normally 10:30 AM on Sundays). Consult with our parish clergy concerning preparation for and scheduling the baptism of your child. 

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Godparents

Being a godparent means sharing love, time and concern with a child who has a special place in your life and in your heart. If parents begin a lifetime commitment at a child's physical birth, then godparents begin their lifetime commitment at a child's spiritual rebirth -- their baptism. 

Even though a child has many people related to him or her, only a godparent is "chosen" to play a special part in the life of a child - a godparent joins the family by choice. It can be very flattering, and even a little staggering, to be asked to share in a child's love in this way. The responsibility for the child's growth into a happy, healthy, and caring adult becomes part of your responsibility. As a godparent you will be looked to to provide a positive role model and a good influence, especially when it comes to the spiritual development of your godchild. 
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While parents are usually responsible for a child's religious upbringing, godparents can lend support and lead by example. Sometimes, when a parent is forced to act as a disciplinarian, a godparent can soften the blow without undermining parental authority. 
 
Godparenting is like parenting - teaching good manners, encouraging good behavior, checking on progress at school, explaining the rules, consoling and challenging, and, of course, giving lots of hugs! Being a godparent is special - just watch people's reactions when you say, "I'm his godmother." They nod knowingly, suddenly understanding why you've just given the last banana Popsicle in the box to a grinning three-year-old who rewards you with a sticky hug.

If you have been asked to be a godparent, we hope to offer help so you can be the very best one possible. ​