In the United Methodist tradition, we affirm two sacraments in the spiritual and faith life of participants and members. At the beginning of our spiritual lives, Holy Baptism is our entry into our lifelong journey as disciples of Jesus Christ, and Holy Communion nourishes and sustains us on that journey.
The Gospels remind us of the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist, proclaiming the coming Messiah and the message that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” As Jesus began his ministry, he went and claimed his identity in faith in the act of baptism in the Jordan River at the hands of John the Baptist.
Using the imagery of water, we explore our history of faith in stories of water that nourishes and cleanses. It is in this cleansing that we believe we are made pure as we enter into our relationship with God. Some understand this as a moment of rebirth “through water and the Spirit” where we are born into a new way of living. Because we believe Holy Baptism is an act of God, initiating us into the universal church, this sacrament is to be received by an individual only once.
The celebration of Holy Baptism may be scheduled in consultation with our Pastoral staff and is celebrated during the Worship service (with exceptions for medical and other circumstances). We baptize babies, children, youth, and adults by sprinkling or pouring water on the heads of those being baptized.