Whether you presently a member of our congregation or have a special link with the parish (e.g. parents who were christened or married here or a loved ones ashes are interred here etc.) – we welcome you to be baptised or have your child baptized at St. John’s.
Baptism is the foundation of our whole Christian life. It is the gateway to life in the Holy Spirit and the door, which gives access to the other sacraments and full membership in the universal Church of God. Being christened is a one-time event and anyone who has not previously been baptized.
Through Baptism a person is reborn as a daughter or son of God. It is through Baptism that an individual begins their formal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. It unites us to God through Jesus’ resurrection, gives the gift of eternal life and makes us part of Christ’s Body, the Church.
Baptism normally takes place within the Sunday Eucharist or under exceptional circumstances, with the permission of our Bishop, as a separate service.
Christenings are not normally held during Lent to allow a greater focus on the austerity of the season. Baptism is a way of sharing in Christ’s resurrection and so is not suited to the time of year when the church is preparing for the celebration of Easter.
Baptism is perfectly proper for both adults and children. A brief time of preparation is required with the parents of any infant being baptized. For an adult coming for baptism, this is usually combined with Confirmation (the giving of the gifts of the Spirit and taking of adult membership of the church) and would occur after a longer period of preparation.
Enquiries about baptism should be directed in the first instance to the Parish Office.
Phase II and Phase III Baptismal Protocol – Diocese of New Westminster (updated July 10, 2020)
- Observe All Phase II or Phase III Protocols for in-person worship (preparation of space, Service of the Word only in Phase II, Protocols for the distribution of communion in Phase III, etc.)
- Parents, sponsors and candidate (Baptismal party) arrive first, if possible, and sit closest to font, separated on all sides from others in congregation. Ensure that access to the font is direct without others seated between Baptismal party and font.
- Prior to baptism liturgy, font is cleaned and sanitized.
- All items involved in baptism are set up by one gloved person immediately prior to baptism (candles, chrism, etc). Parents or candidates invited to bring and supply their own towel
- Fresh water and a fully sanitized font are used for each person who is baptized. One unassisted priest conducts the baptism and fills the font with fresh water before the Prayer over the Water. After the baptism, no one is allowed to touch the water in the font during the service. The water in the font is disposed of immediately after the service by emptying it on the ground, and the font is cleaned and sanitized again. (This protocol may make it impractical to conduct multiple baptisms at one service.)
- Priest conducting the baptism sanitizes hands immediately before baptizing and dons a mask.
- Adult candidate wears a mask. At the baptism of an infant or young child, parents wear masks.
- For the baptism of a young child or infant, parents have hold of the child throughout the baptism and chrismation
- At the baptism, adult candidate bends over the font or parents of a young child/infant lower the child into the font or hold the child over the font. Priest pours water over the head of the adult or child without making physical contact.
- Priest conducting the baptism sanitizes hands before chrismation and immediately following chrismation.
- No asperges will happen at any baptism during Phase II or Phase III.
- The priest conducting the baptism sanitizes their hands before and after each separate baptism and before and after each chrismation.