Baptism
what is baptism?
Thank you for your interest in baptism at CUMC for you or your child. Baptism is an important moment in the life of the baptized, parents, and our family of faith at CUMC. It is a time in which we rejoice as we welcome and adopt you or your child into the family of God.
In its original context, baptism symbolized cleaning from an old, wrong way of acting or thinking to identifying with a new, God-honoring lifestyle. Baptism took place in public so everyone in the community could see the difference Jesus made in a person's life.
Baptism is the beginning of a journey of faith that is a continuing process throughout our entire lives. Baptism is one of our two sacraments (communion is the other). In a sacrament, God uses common elements - in this case, water - as means for vehicles of divine grace. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
how does baptism work at cumc?
Due to the significant meaning of baptism to our church family at CUMC, baptisms need to be celebrated during services of worship. Exceptions can be made only in extreme emergencies.
At CUMC we use sprinkling of water on the head of the baptized, due to the logistics of our church. However any method (sprinkling, pouring, or immersion) is acceptable and may vary by United Methodist church.
A certificate will be issued; and in the case of infants and young children, they will be enrolled as preparatory members (preparing for membership) until such time as they choose to complete confirmation training and become full members be speaking for themselves the same vows their parents took upon themselves at the child's baptism.
Since baptism is an act of God, and God does it right the first time, we do not believe in second or re-baptisms. God's promises to us in the sacraments are steadfast.
why does cuMC do baptisms?
We baptize people because it is an outward symbol that this person is marked as part of God's family. Baptism offers a promise that the Holy Spirit will always be working within our lives. Salvation requires our acceptance of God's grace, trust in Christ, and ongoing growth as long as we live - therefore baptism does not mean one is "saved."
Baptism is a gift of God's grace to be received as part of the journey of salvation. Confirmation and Profession of Faith allows individuals (particularly if baptized as a child) to affirm your commitment to be a part of God's family. These are additional steps on the faith journey after baptism.
who can be baptized?
For United Methodists, baptism can happen at any age because it is about our dependence on God's grace.
For children, his/her parents stand with them in the presence of God and our community of faith. The parents make promises on behalf of their child, and our church will respond with its promises.
Parents of children to be baptized should be living a Christian lifestyle and be members of Christ's holy church. That does not mean that they need to be members of CUMC, but we highly encourage all parents to become active church members so that we can work together to help parents live out the vows they are taking on their child's behalf.
For adults, you stand before the congregation making a promise that you want to be a part of God's family and our community of faith. You participate in this sacrament, which means "an oath," as part of God's covenant with God's people in response to God's gracious salvation in Jesus Christ.
Our church confidently and boldly promises to support those being baptized (and their families) to provide growing, nurturing, and maturing opportunities and experiences for spiritual growth. Yet, the true responsibility is upon you, the baptized or parents of the baptized, and upon us, as a church.
i have more questions...
If you have questions about baptism, or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our pastors to formally begin the process of preparing for baptism, please contact the Church Office at 717.249.1512 or .