Baptism

Baptism is often called “a visible sign of an invisible grace.” Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit signifies that one who is being baptized has died to death and risen to new life in Christ; has been accepted into the care of Christ’s church; is a full participant in God’s forgiveness; and has begun to grow into full Christian life and faith.

We affirm what was written by the World Council of Churches:

Baptism is both God’s gift and our human response to that gift…It is a sign and seal of our common discipleship. Through baptism, Christians are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the church of every time and place.

Baptism is not only a personal and familial celebration. It is also a central celebration in the life of the local church which embodies the universal church in a particular place. For this reason, baptisms are held in the presence of the community during worship. Only in extreme circumstances are private baptisms offered.

Infants, teens, and adults all may be baptized here. Our only request is that the one seeking baptism (or seeking it on behalf for another, such as an infant) participate in one worship service and meet with the minister to discuss the call of baptism.