Westminster United Church Baptism Policy
Baptism is the sacrament of initiation into the Christian Church. It is the act whereby each of us is welcomed into the church family and reminded of our identity as followers of Jesus Christ. It is the blessing of the church upon an infant, child or adult and the acknowledgement in thanksgiving and celebration that the person is God’s own child. The congregation welcomes a new life in its midst and promises to uphold and support the one being baptized and their family on their faith journey.
In the case of infant/child baptism the parents/guardians of the child make a profession of faith on the child’s behalf. This profession of faith will be renewed by the child at a later date/age through the process of Confirmation. In the case of adult baptism, an adult makes their own profession of faith and commitment to new life in Christ.
The sacrament of baptism is open/available to any person who desires to enter into its promises.
It is expected that parents bringing their children for baptism will honour the promises and commitment made in the covenant of baptism by becoming active in the life and work of Westminster United Church and by contributing financially to its ministry (or to the ministry of their local church if they are living outside of Humboldt). It is expected that baptized adults will do the same.
The Baptism Service at Westminster United Church
Baptism will take place within the context of a regular Sunday worship service. The congregation, through which the child/adult enters the Christian life, considers their commitment to nurture their growth in faith as a vital component of the sacrament.
The only exception to baptism happening on Sunday morning during a regular worship service would be in the case of a crisis/medical emergency.
Infant Baptism: Church membership of one or both of the parents is encouraged, though not required. The church is prepared to receive those who express a sincere commitment to their own growth in Christian faith and a desire to raise their child(ren) in that faith.
Godparents are not a part of The United Church tradition. However, if parents wish to name persons in this role, these people are welcome to accompany the parents/child for the baptism part of the service.
Adult Baptism: In the case of adult baptism, the person will act for themselves.
Other congregation members will participate in the service of baptism through the introduction to the congregation of those seeking baptism as well as through the presentation of baptismal certificates and other symbols.
There is no set schedule for baptism. Dates will be arranged dependent upon the church calendar and convenience of the baptism parents/families. In preparation for the service the minister will arrange to meet with the parents to make all necessary arrangements.
As baptism is a sacrament of the church and part of public worship, no set fee is charged for baptism. However, the family is encouraged to make an offering to the church on the day of the service and will be expected to become financially involved in the life and work of the church in the future.
Background:
1. Baptism is one of two sacraments in the United Church of Canada (baptism & communion) and so it is viewed as a highly significant covenant or promise in the context of the church community as below:
The United Church of Canada states the matter clearly: “Baptism with water into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is the Sacrament by which is signified and sealed our union to Christ and participation in the blessings of the new covenant.” (Basis Of Union, 2007)
Covenant we refer to that intimate agreement of persons and parties which is freely entered and binding on a chosen course for life; with all of its decisions and determinations. In particular we refer to the eternal covenant of grace by which we are included as beneficiaries of the abundant goodness of God revealed in creation and the revelations of God’s word given by the Holy Spirit.
2. Baptism is universal Christian covenant and as such it does not signal membership in any particular church, but rather, in the universal Christian church. When a child is of an age to determine for themselves, they can choose to study and become a member of a particular denomination.
As you are making commitments on behalf of your child, please note that you are agreeing to uphold the baptismal promises until such time as the child can make that decision for themselves by joining a church of their choosing.
3. Baptism is an action undertaken in faith to initiate a progressive transformation of all aspects and implications of being in the world. Without this awareness and a determined commitment to this progressive transformation the act of baptism has no consequential meaning.
Baptism is an outward sign of the inward grace of God, which is already part of your and your child’s life. Sadly however, there can be a disconnect between the act of being baptized and the actions following baptism. John Wesley speaks of this when he says: “There may sometimes be the outward sign where there is not the inward grace.”
With this in mind, you are strongly encouraged to remain involved in a community of faith for the sacrament of baptism guarantees nothing where there is no desire and commitment to engage and uphold the revealed word and ways of God. It is through the process of living out the promises of baptism that the grace of God is known.
Approved by Westminster Church Council
May 19, 2020