Baptism

and

The Eucharist:

Our Two Great 

Sacraments

"The Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace."

"The two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist."

An Outline of the Faith commonly called the Catechism, The Book of Common Prayer, 857-858

Concerning Baptism

"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."

"Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast." The Book of Common Prayer, 298

As an initiation rite into the Christian Community of Faith, all baptisms are viewed as taking place within the public worship services of the Church.  We do not offer private baptisms except in the case of unusual pastoral circumstances.  That final decision is in the hands of our Vicar, and is exercised within the spirit of our view of baptism as a public worship experience.

Because Baptism is initiation into the Christian Community, it presupposes that those who are baptized (or their families, if they are infants) are, or will become, active in the life of the Community.  Therefore, it is not our practice to baptize those who do not have, or do not intend on having, a connection to our Community.  There is no intent here to be exclusive, but rather to honor the meaning of the baptismal rite as it has been understood and practiced in the Tradition of the historic Christian Church.

Concerning The Eucharist

"The Holy Eucharist, the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as set forth in this Book, are the regular services appointed for public worship in this Church."  The Book of Common Prayer, 13

The Eucharist is the Holy Meal by which baptized Christians participate in the saving effects of the sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In the Eucharist the crucified and Risen Christ is present to us.  It is a participation in the Life of the Risen Christ, and is therefore properly received only by those who have been baptized into His death and resurrection. This is in accordance with the established Tradition and practice of the historic Christian Church.

The Eucharist is the Table of the Lord, and is open to any who have been baptized (regardless of Christian denomination) into the Christian Community.

For more information on the Meaning of Baptism, click here

For information regarding Infant Baptism, click here

For more information about the Eucharist, click here