Baptisms

Baptism is a sacrament of belonging. It is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community, local and global.  It uses water as a symbolic cleansing that signifies the acceptance of new life that God gives us as we join.  

We believe that the gift of God’s love doesn’t depend on our ability to understand it, so we baptize people of all ages, from infants up through adulthood.  

Baptism is not a requirement for God's love. We believe people who die without baptism are in no way condemned or lost.

We believe that baptism should be celebrated as part of a service of public worship. During the ceremony, vows of intent to support the Christian nurture of those baptized are made, and everyone in the congregation pledges support for parents who promise to help their child/children grow in their own faith.

Whatever the age of the one baptized, you’ll affirm you want to belong and learn to take an active part in the life of the local community of faith where you have decided to hold the baptism.  

With children, instruction is given to parents and sponsors to equip them for the child's Christian nurture.

Baptism in the United Church is recognized by all denominations of the Christian church that practise infant baptism. Similarly, we recognize the baptisms performed by other denominations.