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 First Communion / Confirmation For information, please speak the Fr. Kevin.
A few thoughts on baptism, from the perspective an Anglican priest and scholar from our Diocese… (10 Jan 2010 leaflet) “Those who respond to the good news of God’s love and wish to join in the community of Jesus, sharing his mission of hope to the world, are invited to be baptized. To receive baptism is to receive the same Spirit which empowered Jesus. In baptism we are assured of acceptance as brothers and sisters. We are set free from our old self-centredness… and ushered into a new existence as members of a new humanity. The baptism of infants is a daring extension of the offer of baptism. Modern studies have made clear that children are deeply affected by the personal environment in which they grow up. Christians have always believed that the grace of God is not limited by the limits of our understanding, but only by stubborn or careless rejection. That is why, from very early in the life of the Church, Christians parents have sought baptism for their children ‘by water and the Holy Spirit’. They have brought their children into the realm of God’s grace, so that they may grow in grace.” -- The Reverend Canon John W.B. Hill, “Thinking About Baptism” (Toronto: ABC Publishing, 1994). |
 Celebration of Holy Baptism
Sunday, January 10, 2010. For enquiries about baptism - all ages! - see here » and contact Fr. Kevin at the Parish Office: 416-691-0449 Email
What is Baptism?
Baptism is a 'sacrament' - a visible sign of God's love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging His love. Baptism marks the start of a journey of faith - and it can take place at any age or stage of life. The baptism service The baptism service will normally take place in St. Nicholas during the main Sunday service. This is because it is a public declaration that the child or adult has become part of the church family. It allows the congregation to welcome the baptismal candidates and promise to pray and support them.
The service will normally follow the orders of service in the Book of Alternative Services but may be changed depending on whether:
During the service During the baptism service the baptism candidates (or their parents and godparents if the candidate is a child) will be asked to declare publicly that they believe in God and will follow Jesus. They will also be asked to declare that they have turned away from everything which is evil or sinful and promise to turn instead to Christ. During the service, a number of important signs and symbols will be used:
Godparents are important people who have special tasks. They promise to help their godchild come to know God, encourage him or her in their membership of the local church and take an interest in their spiritual life. They make the same promises as parents on behalf of the child being baptised. They commit themselves to pray for the child and help the parents bring up the child in the Christian faith. Children should normally have at least three godparents, two of whom should be the same sex as the child. They can be family members or friends (and parents can also be godparents). But to carry out this role, the Church of England requires that all godparents have been baptised and preferably confirmed as well. Adult baptism candidates have sponsors rather than godparents. A sponsor will formally present the candidate for baptism and help them with their growth as a Christian. There should be at least two sponsors who, like godparents, need to be baptised and preferably confirmed. Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child A service of Thanksgiving is different to a baptism. It offers parents the chance to give thanks to God for the birth or adoption of a child and may be used in a number of different situations:
The Thanksgiving Service can be either a private or a public occasion. If wished, a Baptism Service can take place at a later date. Father Kevin will be able to provide you with more information about the Thanksgiving Service. To contact him, call the Parish Office at 416-691-0449 or email » |
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The Parish of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff • Diocese of Toronto • Anglican Church of Canada
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Usually Father Kevin will offer some preparation to the baptism candidates or (if the candidate is a child) their parents to explain the service and the commitment that is going to be made. This is a chance to explore more about the Christian faith and to think about what joining the church involves.