Baptisms
Infant Baptism at St. Andrew's
The Presbyterian Church baptizes infants, children and adults (as compared to other denominations that practice only adult baptism). We view the birth of a child as a gift of God's grace and that gift is celebrated in the Sacrament of Baptism. A tiny infant has no claim on God's love other than its existence, yet God deeply loves that child. God has a plan and a purpose for that child: hence, as you are already aware, your child is a unique individual. We welcome the entrance of this precious life into the world.
We accept the reality that human life is entrusted into human care. Baptism acknowledges the responsibility of people - parents, extended family, and church - to "nurture" the new life of this child. It is a serious responsibility and the Sacrament of Baptism is an opportunity to publicly declare the willingness of people to care for the life of each child presented.
The Sacrament of Baptism marks the entry of a human life into not only the human family, not only a biological family, but also the Christian Church. Therefore, we make a clear distinction that Baptism is not "Christening" or the conferring of the child's "Christian" name. Nor is it simply a celebration of a new human life. It is the welcoming of a child into the family of God, the church.
We ask that you seriously consider these aspects. You will be making vows related to these issues.
PARENTS:
It is important that the parents are baptized. We are discovering increasingly that many people today were not baptized as infants themselves (due to the fact that over the past forty years many people have dropped out of church attendance or become very irregular). In order for you to properly respond to the questions you, as parents, will be asked at the Sacrament of Baptism, it is important that you ensure that your own baptism has taken place. Our ministers are quite willing to baptize a parent along with their child.
THE QUESTIONS FOR BAPTISM:
FAITH:Trusting in the gracious mercy of God who has been faithful to us in all generations, do you turn away from sin, renounce all evil powers in the world which rebel against God or God's rule of justice and love?
This question is a re-affirmation of the Christian Faith. It is necessary for you to have your child baptized and for you to properly be able to answer the nurture question. As stated above, human life is entrusted into human care; this goes for faith as well. In the Sacrament of Baptism, you are agreeing to raise your child in the Christian faith, and you form the essential link in that process. Your child will discover more about God in how you, as parents, relate to each other, talk about your faith in the family circle, pray together and give guidance to your child. Baptism is a time for you, as parents, to consider your own faith in Jesus Christ in order to pass that faith on to your child. You may wish to discuss issues and/or questions of faith personally with one of our ministers.
MEMBERSHIP:Do you desire, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, to mature as a Christian in the church, to seek the guidance of Christ as you listen for his Word, to celebrate his death and life at the table he provides, and to engage in his mission to the world?
Due to this re-affirmation of faith and the obligation through Baptism to raise your child in the Christian faith within the church, the Presbyterian Church in Canada requires that at least one of the parents be a communicant member of the church. We view Baptism as an exciting yet demanding step. Please do not see it simply as "getting the baby done" to satisfy some social custom. You are pledging yourself forever to the nurture of your child in the Christian faith. Please discuss this with one of the ministers if neither parent is a communicant member. We hold membership classes periodically.
NURTURE:Do you promise to raise your child in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ within the home and the fellowship of the church?
The nurture question follows your re-affirmation of the Christian faith. It is your promise to raise your child in the Christian faith as has been outlined above. This is both a great privilege and an important responsibility. It must be taken with utmost seriousness. We believe that Christian marriage and the family are God-ordained to fulfill the proper raising of children to their individuality and fulfillment. Thus we must address two situations of modern life: Single parents and common-law marriages.
l. SINGLE PARENTS. While we hold to the ideal of a strong Christian family we also realize that human relationships are fragile and can be damaged to the point of irreversible rupture. There are other circumstances that lead to a single woman raising a child without the support of the biological father. We reach out in Christ's redeeming love. When Baptism is being considered in such cases the pastoral staff extend the appropriate support of the congregation to the parents and children.
2. COMMON-LAW RELATIONSHIPS. While such relationships are common in our society and even recognized in law, we hold to the position of the Christian Church that God has ordained marriage as sacred to a couple and for the raising of a family. Thus, when Baptism is being considered, the pastoral staff will direct a couple to commit to the covenant of Christian marriage to set the proper direction for the future of that family. Once married, we will discuss the Baptism of the child.
THE CONGREGATION'S SUPPORT:The support question. The Presbyterian Church in Canada celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism within public worship unless in very unusual circumstances. This provides the necessary opportunity for congregational participation. It is understood in bringing a child for Baptism within the Presbyterian Church that you are agreeing to the faith and nurture questions and necessarily involving your child in the work of the church. Human life and the Christian faith are entrusted to human hands. In Baptism, the congregation is re-affirming their participation in encouraging your growing child in the Christian faith: through Sunday School, special programs, Youth programs...and more importantly to be "role models" and Christian friends to the children and young people of our congregation. Presbyterians view the congregation as the "spiritual godparents" of your child. Baptism is an exciting time for all of us when understood in this manner.
Also answering the support question will be significant people from your extended family. This is good and we encourage them to participate by answering the question as well. You may wish to have some special people stand with you in the chancel during the Sacrament of Baptism: please discuss this with one of the ministers.
After reading this information please make an appointment to discuss this further with one of the ministers. We look forward to getting to know this new life with which God has gifted you!
