Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. (BCP pg. 298)
Baptism is the way in which we are adopted into Christ’s church and made God’s own forever. It is the sacrament in which we are given the name Christian and enter into a life of faith and service.
Because baptism is the way in which we enter into Christ’s church it is appropriately done when the church community is gathered on Sunday for the Eucharist. And because it is into the community of faith that one is baptized it is expected that the one being baptized, or at least one of the parents be active in the life of St. Mark’s.
Baptism is celebrated at the Easter Vigil (the Saturday night before Easter Day), the Day of Pentecost (fifty days after Easter Day), All Saints Sunday (the first Sunday after November 1st), The Baptism of Our Lord (the first Sunday after January 6th) and on the occasion of a visit of the Bishop. There are no private baptisms in the Episcopal Church.
Please be in touch with the office if you are seeking baptism for yourself or a family member.