Holy Baptism & Confirmation
“And with the grace of Baptism and the Eucharist of Communion I can become an instrument of God’s mercy, that beautiful mercy of God.” – Pope Francis
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 outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, the forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit. Baptism is not reserved for just children, adults are joyfully welcome to receive Holy Baptism also.
Baptisms (of infants and adults) are celebrated several times throughout the year, following a period of preparation. Baptisms take place during our regular worship services when the community is gathered.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Saint Margaret’s offers separate confirmation classes for youth and adults to explore the Episcopal faith and to discern their readiness in making a public affirmation of their faith. For further information on class times and curriculum, contact us.
Reaffirmation
The Book of Common Prayer refers to those persons already baptized who are presented to the bishop in the context of a service of Baptism or Confirmation to reaffirm their baptismal vows. These might be persons returning to the church after a period of unbelief or those who have entered a new level of spiritual life.