Holy Baptism
"Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God."
-The Book of Common Prayer, page 858
This section includes the teaching of the Episcopal Church about Holy Baptism, and guidelines for the administration of Baptism in The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less. We hope that it will provide an informative and useful introduction for parents, sponsors (godparents), and family members.
If, after reading over this material, you wish to inquire further about how to arrange for a Baptism at St. James the Less, please contact the parish office (847) 446-8430. We thank God for your interest in Baptism and we invite you to use the following prayer for those who are to be Baptized:
"O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
-The Book of Common Prayer, page 819
Holy Baptism in the Episcopal Church
The Book of Common Prayer provides the following directions for the administration of Baptism in the Episcopal Church.
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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.
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Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.
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Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
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Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of young children or infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates.
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It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of Christ's Church.
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Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints' Day or the Sunday after All Saints' Day, and on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany).
Holy Baptism in The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less
The Church of St. James the Less follows these guidelines for the administration of Baptism in order to help parents, sponsors (godparents), and the parish to be accountable to God and to one another for the promises and vows that are made in the rite of Holy Baptism.
Holy Baptism is administered to adults and to the children of parents who are members in good standing of this parish, or of another Episcopal church. Members in good standing are faithful in corporate worship and in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom.
We invite those who are not members of this parish and who inquire about Baptism to read the section of the web site on parish membership and to contact the parish office at (847) 446-8430 in order to register as new members of St. James the Less and to become active participants in our parish life and worship.
The Baptism of children whose parents live outside of this parish may only be scheduled at St. James the Less with the assurance that the promises and vows of Baptism will be fulfilled through active membership in another parish. The clergy are glad to assist families who have some historic ties to St. James the Less and who now live in other communities to locate and to join their local Episcopal church.
All Baptisms at St. James the Less are scheduled through the office of the Rector. Associate clergy of the parish share with the Rector in the administration of Holy Baptism.
When a Baptism is scheduled, the member of the clergy who is to be the Celebrant on that occasion will contact the parents to arrange for pre-baptismal instruction. We hope and expect that godparents will be included in this preparation.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism should be sponsored by one or more baptized persons, in addition to their parents (in the case of children). Sponsors need not be Episcopalians, but should be members in good standing of a Christian church. Parents and sponsors of children guarantee that the children will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.
Holy Baptism is administered within the Eucharist on Sunday mornings, except in pastoral emergencies. The Rite of Holy Baptism is found in The Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 299.
Following the direction of The Book of Common Prayer, we celebrate Holy Baptism on these occasions: at the Easter Vigil (March or April); on the Day of Pentecost (May or June); on the Sunday after All Saints' Day (November); on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (January); and on other Sundays throughout the year, as scheduled by the Rector.