Baptism

Baptism is a symbolic action that signifies the new life God gives us as we join the church community. Baptism uses water as a symbolic cleansing that signifies the acceptance of new life within the church family. The sacrament of baptism is the single rite of initiation into the Christian community, the church.

The United Church offers baptism to all ages. We believe the gift of God’s love doesn’t depend on our ability to understand it, so we baptize people as infants right up through adulthood. Baptism is not a requirement for God’s love. We believe people who die without baptism are in no way condemned, lost, or damned.

Baptism in the United Church is recognized by all denominations of the Christian church that practise infant baptism. Similarly, if people have already been baptized in another church, the United Church recognizes their baptism and welcomes them as Christians.

Baptism at Fairlawn

At Fairlawn we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism at several specially designated services throughout the year, during our Sunday church service at 10:30 am.

During the service the parents or adult candidates for baptism and the entire congregation make a profession of faith. The Fairlawn congregation also expresses its commitment to support you and your family in your Christian journey.

Preparation for Baptism Christening

Arrangements for Baptism include contacting and meeting with our minister to discuss your intent and for instruction. With children, instruction is given to parents or sponsors to equip them for the child’s Christian nurture. A Baptismal Record Information Sheet will be completed.

Once preparations are complete, a rehearsal will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time, one or two weeks prior to Baptism Sunday.

Baptism Sunday

The Sunday morning of the service, participants are asked to arrive no later than 10:15 am. and seat themselves in the reserved pews at the front of the Sanctuary. Reserved seating is for participants in the actual service only (parents, siblings and godparents, if any). Please suggest to your friends and other family members they arrive early to secure optimal seating.

Photographs

You and your guests are invited to take posed photographs in the Sanctuary immediately following the ceremony as a remembrance of this special occasion for your family. Please do not take photographs during the church service itself, unless they are flash-free and from where you are seated.

Please make arrangements through the church office.