Baptism
If you (or your child) are ready for baptism, we encourage you to fill out our online baptism form. What’s more, we encourage you to come and worship with us regularly both before and after you are baptized, so that you may grow and learn and prosper in the faith.
The most significant step you can take on the road to Christianity is to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In fact, by virtue of baptism, you are a Christian. Every other moment of your Christian life is a matter of living up to the grace received by our Lord at the moment of baptism.
At Saint Thomas we baptize children and adults. Most baptisms involve small children, with their parents and Godparents speaking on their behalf. However, every year, a number of adults, often individuals who quietly have been sitting in our pews for a period of months or even years, come to us ready to be baptized. And we are delighted to do so. Baptism, after all, grows the Church. But even more importantly, it transforms the life of the baptized by bringing him or her into communion with Christ and his Church.
Indeed, at Saint Thomas, all baptized Christians are invited to participate in Holy Communion, which is celebrated every single day of the year in our Parish.
If you (or your child) are ready for baptism, we encourage you to fill out our online baptism form. What’s more, we encourage you to come and worship with us regularly both before and after you are baptized, so that you may grow and learn and prosper in the faith.
Confirmation
As the Book of Common Prayer describes, at Confirmation individuals “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.”
When young children are baptized, they cannot make such a mature commitment. Instead, they rest on the intentions and promises of their parents and Godparents. So it is hoped that as these children are brought up in the faith, they will make their own commitment to Christ when they grow old enough. As for those who are baptized as adults, they are confirmed whenever they feel ready after further instruction in the faith.
At Saint Thomas, a bishop visits every May for Confirmation. In the months leading up to Confirmation, the Rector offers his Pilgrim’s Course for adults who intend to be, or are considering being, confirmed. In 2014, the class begins on January 14. Likewise, the Youth Minister offers classes for youth who are preparing for Confirmation. If you, an adult you know, or a youth interested in preparing for Confirmation, please contact Amy Cheresnowski.
