Baptism means you are part of our family
The congregation plays an important role in baptism. Baptism occurs during a regular 10:00am worship service with the participation of the congregation. The congregation promises to help the newly baptized fully embrace a life of service and ministry with Christ. Each baptized person is recognized as belonging to the family of United Churches of Durham and the greater family of God. Each baptism at United Churches is crafted to be both personal and extremely joyous! We baptize people of all ages and we LOVE to remember how much we are each cherished by God whenever we celebrate a baptism. In the case of infant baptisms, parents or sponsors make promises on behalf of the child to guide them in a life of faith.
We encourage all families interested in baptism of young children to come experience worship with us any Sunday. We have worship bags and a pray-ground area with crawling space, books and toys for our young worshippers (and young at heart).
We encourage all families interested in baptism of young children to come experience worship with us any Sunday. We have worship bags and a pray-ground area with crawling space, books and toys for our young worshippers (and young at heart).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do we need to meet with the pastor before a baptism?
Yes, the pastor encourages all who wish to be baptized to attend a worship service and meet together before a baptism ceremony. Baptism is no small thing. It is the beginning of a relationship between the local church and the individual being baptized. Baptism makes us family. We welcome ALL who wish to be baptized to celebrate this sacrament in our faith community and pray this sacrament will begin a long standing relationship that extends beyond one Sunday and one ceremony. If you are interested in baptism, contact the pastor to become part of our family.
When are baptisms celebrated?
Baptism is a covenant made between the local church members to care for, support, and pray for the newly baptized as they grow in faith. For this reason, baptisms are celebrated when the congregation is gathered for a Sunday worship service at 10:00am.
What about godparents or sponsors?
Asking someone to be a a godparent or sponsor in baptism is an entirely personal decision. It is not required. Both adults and young children coming to be baptized can involve godparents or sponsors in their service. Any godparents or parents making baptismal promises must be baptized in the Christian faith. We honor the baptism of all denominations of Christianity. In some cases, parents are baptized alongside their children or whole families decide to be baptized together. These are decisions to make in conversation with the pastor, as there are often special circumstances.
What happens in Baptism?
Baptism is the beginning of our walk with Christ, celebrating that you or your child is beloved and marked as one of God's own. It is a holy sacrament, an outward and visible sign of the inner workings of God's grace. We use symbols: water, oil and fire. The water is a typically poured or sprinkled on the forehead of the baptized. Immersion baptisms can be arranged as well. Water is a symbol of life and purity. Oil is used as a symbol of covenant and the Holy Spirit. A baptismal candle is lit, as fire reminds us of the light of Christ burning and shining from within each follower.
The parents, godparents, or individuals are asked:
Do you believe in God the Creator, the Source, and the fountain of all life?
Do you believe in Christ, the Servant, the Redeemer embodied in Jesus of Nazareth and in His Holy Church?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the source of Wisdom, our Comforter and our Sustainer?
Do you promise to to learn from the wisdom of the prophets; to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?
Do you vow to grow in Christ's Holy Church and to discover the wonder of God's love?
The congregation promises to instill the knowledge that our newly baptized member belongs to God. We promise to support them with our love, our prayers, and our presence. Baptism is a Christian sacrament and all participants making these promises must be baptized Christians.
What do we need to wear?
Early Christians typically wore white for their baptisms, as a symbol of purity and new beginnings. This color remains a traditional and symbolic choice for Baptism but is not necessary. You will be standing up in front of a congregation of people so dress yourself and any young children in whatever feels comfortable. Sometimes we see baptismal gowns handed down from generations and others simply come as they are. We welcome you as one of our own, whatever you are wearing.
Is there a fee for baptism?
No. There is no price or charge for God's grace. God's love is freely offered to you and we are honored to be part of this step in faith. It brings us such joy to celebrate Baptism, remembering how perfect and beloved each of us is in the eyes of God. However, many families do make monetary donations to the congregation or an honorarium to the pastor, to sustain our ministries of teaching, serving, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We appreciate these gifts of love.
Yes, the pastor encourages all who wish to be baptized to attend a worship service and meet together before a baptism ceremony. Baptism is no small thing. It is the beginning of a relationship between the local church and the individual being baptized. Baptism makes us family. We welcome ALL who wish to be baptized to celebrate this sacrament in our faith community and pray this sacrament will begin a long standing relationship that extends beyond one Sunday and one ceremony. If you are interested in baptism, contact the pastor to become part of our family.
When are baptisms celebrated?
Baptism is a covenant made between the local church members to care for, support, and pray for the newly baptized as they grow in faith. For this reason, baptisms are celebrated when the congregation is gathered for a Sunday worship service at 10:00am.
What about godparents or sponsors?
Asking someone to be a a godparent or sponsor in baptism is an entirely personal decision. It is not required. Both adults and young children coming to be baptized can involve godparents or sponsors in their service. Any godparents or parents making baptismal promises must be baptized in the Christian faith. We honor the baptism of all denominations of Christianity. In some cases, parents are baptized alongside their children or whole families decide to be baptized together. These are decisions to make in conversation with the pastor, as there are often special circumstances.
What happens in Baptism?
Baptism is the beginning of our walk with Christ, celebrating that you or your child is beloved and marked as one of God's own. It is a holy sacrament, an outward and visible sign of the inner workings of God's grace. We use symbols: water, oil and fire. The water is a typically poured or sprinkled on the forehead of the baptized. Immersion baptisms can be arranged as well. Water is a symbol of life and purity. Oil is used as a symbol of covenant and the Holy Spirit. A baptismal candle is lit, as fire reminds us of the light of Christ burning and shining from within each follower.
The parents, godparents, or individuals are asked:
Do you believe in God the Creator, the Source, and the fountain of all life?
Do you believe in Christ, the Servant, the Redeemer embodied in Jesus of Nazareth and in His Holy Church?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the source of Wisdom, our Comforter and our Sustainer?
Do you promise to to learn from the wisdom of the prophets; to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?
Do you vow to grow in Christ's Holy Church and to discover the wonder of God's love?
The congregation promises to instill the knowledge that our newly baptized member belongs to God. We promise to support them with our love, our prayers, and our presence. Baptism is a Christian sacrament and all participants making these promises must be baptized Christians.
What do we need to wear?
Early Christians typically wore white for their baptisms, as a symbol of purity and new beginnings. This color remains a traditional and symbolic choice for Baptism but is not necessary. You will be standing up in front of a congregation of people so dress yourself and any young children in whatever feels comfortable. Sometimes we see baptismal gowns handed down from generations and others simply come as they are. We welcome you as one of our own, whatever you are wearing.
Is there a fee for baptism?
No. There is no price or charge for God's grace. God's love is freely offered to you and we are honored to be part of this step in faith. It brings us such joy to celebrate Baptism, remembering how perfect and beloved each of us is in the eyes of God. However, many families do make monetary donations to the congregation or an honorarium to the pastor, to sustain our ministries of teaching, serving, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We appreciate these gifts of love.