Baptism
Baptism is one of two sacraments celebrated by congregations of the United Church of Canada – an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. The outward sign is the pouring of water on the head while invoking the Holy Trinity to signify the reception of a grace, a gift, of new birth as members of Christ's family, the Church. Baptism, therefore, is the initiation ceremony into the Family and Household of God. It is membership in the Christian Church. Centennial United Church invites all to be part of our particular branch of Christ's family in the world.
In choosing to be baptized we express our faith in God's offer of friendship with God in this life and, in the life to come, eternal life in the kingdom of God's Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
When adults are baptized they make a decision to accept God's offer. The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes their decision and God's promise to them. With God's help they commit themselves to love God with their whole heart and their neighbour as themselves. Centennial United Church makes a commitment to welcome our new members and support them in their Christian journey.
When babies are baptized, their parents make a decision on their behalf. When they are older the children can decide for themselves whether to keep or discontinue their membership in the Church.
With Baptism we become members of the Christian Church as well as that branch of it which is the United Church of Canada. We are part of God's family, enjoying God's friendship and the hope of eternal happiness with God. God's promise and the Church's commitment are the same whether an adult or an infant is baptized.
In asking to have your child baptized, you are accepting the responsibility to bring your child up in the Christian faith. You are your child's first teacher of the Christian faith. The best teaching anyone can give is by example. Your responsibility is to be a Christian in word and in deed. This includes participation in a Christian community, be it the church your child is baptized in or some other church. No amount of Sunday School can make up for a parent who by their life teaches that the Christian faith is not important. A child who receives different messages at home and at Sunday School will be confused, and may become cynical as well.
As Baptism is a ceremony uniting the person being baptized with the fellowship of the congregation, the ceremony takes place during congregational worship. This reflects the congregation's obligation to the one being baptized.
Centennial United Church invites all parents and adult applicants to participate in a baptismal preparation programme in which the Church's understanding of Baptism is explained and discussed.
If you wish to learn about Baptism or if you wish to join our church in a formal way through Baptism, please contact our church office to discuss this with our minister at 250-384-6424 or email centen1@telus.net