Baptism is one of two sacraments observed in the United Methodist Church. (The other is Holy Communion.) We believe baptism to be a service of Christian initiation by which the individual baptized becomes a member of the body of Christ and the Church.  The baptismal vows include turning from evil, resisting evil, injustice and oppression, and serving God through the Church. They are taken by the individual being baptized or their sponsors or godparents, if a baby.  It is a symbol of new life and a promise of God’s saving love and forgiveness of our sins.

Both infants and adults can be baptized.  A person receives the sacrament only once in his or her life.  Water is the special symbol of baptism.  United Methodists baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring.

The number of Godparents for infants and small children can vary. Godparents should be aware that they take on the responsibility of seeing that the child they sponsor takes seriously their Christian life and formation. It is therefore wise for parents to choose Godparents whose own Christian life reflects this commitment.

In the United Methodist Church, baptism is usually administered to infants and small children. However, baptism is also administered to individuals of any age who have not been previously baptized in any other Christian denomination. If someone is joining the United Methodist Church from another denomination, their baptism in that denomination is recognized and acknowledged there is no need to be “re-baptized.”

A meeting is required between the Pastor and the adult or the parents of the child to be baptized. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the meaning of baptism and to prepare for the special day.

Baptisms are held throughout the year based on parents’ request and church calendar of events.