The Route to Holy Baptism

We are delighted in your interest in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.  The Episcopal Church understands Holy Baptism to be the means whereby a person is initiated into and made a member of the Christian Church.  This makes it the most basic act of the Christian faith.  We at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke therefore approach Holy Baptism with joy, discipline, and seriousness.

 

The Baptism Inquiry Session:  The first step for members and newcomers alike is to attend a Baptism Inquiry meeting.  The Baptism Inquiry occurs on the first Sunday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Staff Offices.  You will receive The Baptism Handbook at this meeting.

 

Don’t make any plans, such as inviting relatives for a specific baptism date, until you have received approval from a staff priest for the upcoming baptism.

 

Active Worship:  It is anticipated that the parents of infants and children, the teenagers and the adults to be baptized will attend worship faithfully at least three Sundays a month before and after the administration of Holy Baptism.  If the baptismal candidate is in preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, he or she must be active in the Sunday school program and/or the youth program of the Cathedral.

 

Connection Card:  It is imperative that the baptismal candidates or their parents fill out the Connection Card each Sunday they attend worship.

 

I. NEWCOMERS AND THOSE WITH IRREGULAR WORSHIP ATTENDANCE:

 

Eight Attendances:  At the Baptism Inquiry meeting the Cathedral will supply the newcomer or person with irregular worship attendance with eight red adhesive stickers.  The stickers are to be placed on the Connection Cards found in the Sunday Bulletin.  The card is then to be placed in the offering plate.  The eight Connection Cards are the minimum accepted number of attendances before we will set a baptism date.  The family is expected to continue to attend worship faithfully thereafter.  If you question if this applies to your situation it is your responsibility to clarify your standing with the priest.

 

II. BAPTISM INSTRUCTION CLASS:

 

The Baptism Instruction Class:  This is when we explore the meaning of Holy Baptism, what it means to be baptized, and what the family’s or individual’s responsibilities are after baptism.  The class is scheduled on a Monday evening from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  They are held five times throughout the year.  A light dinner will be provided.  You must register with Melissa Kennedy to attend (407/849-0680). 

 

Nursery is provided for the Baptism Instruction Class.  We ask that infants and older children not be brought to the class.

 

Both parents are expected to attend the baptism class and sponsors are encouraged to attend.

 

III. SPONSORS FOR HOLY BAPTISM:

 

It is expected that sponsors are mature Christians and that they have not been selected for sentimental reasons alone.  The role of the sponsor is to assist the newly baptized person to grow in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ and in the practice of the Christian faith.  Therefore, they must be persons who themselves are taking seriously their own baptismal vows and at minimum are active members of a Christian church.

 

To be listed on the baptismal record as a sponsor, the potential sponsor must have his or her priest/pastor send a letter of reference to the Dean of the Cathedral.  The parents are automatically sponsors of their own child if no other sponsors have been chosen.  It is not necessary to choose sponsors if you have no other appropriate person(s) in mind.

 

IV. DIOCESAN GUIDELINES FOR HOLY BAPTISM:

 

 “Adult candidates are baptized after an extensive period of inquiry, self examination, preparation and prayer supported by the parish (Cathedral) community.”

 

“Infant candidates for baptism should be the children of participating members of the parish (Cathedral), who will be nurtured within this community of faith.”

 

“Adults who are not active members of the congregation, and who seek baptism for infants or children, should be invited to share in the life and worship of the congregation and in a process of instruction and formation, which will culminate in baptism of the child or children.”