Baptism

Baptisms at St. Mark’s

We have two upcoming baptism dates: July 23 and August 13.

If you are interested, email Rev. Elizabeth at egarnsey@stmarksnewcanaan.org.

Holy Baptism is the first great sacrament of the Church, given by Christ. By it we are joined to Jesus in his death, share with him in his resurrection, and are marked as his own forever. If you are interested in having your child baptized or being baptized yourself during this season, please be in touch with the parish office directly at 203.966.4515, and a member of the clergy will contact you to make arrangements. All baptisms are recorded in the parish register, and families are asked to provide information about the person baptized for this purpose. Click here to download a Baptism Form.

Some frequently asked questions about baptism...

1. How many godparents must/may I have?

At least one baptized person is required as a godparent/sponsor; there may be as many others as desired, as long as they are baptized.

2. Must a godparent have any special qualifications?                                               

The godparent /sponsor must have been baptized and must be willing to make the pledges contained in the ceremony. These include pledges to be responsible for seeing that the child presented for baptism is brought up in the Christian faith and life, to renounce evil, to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to participate in the work and worship of the Church.

3. May we have a family baptism?

The tradition of the Episcopal church is that Baptism appropriately takes place within the primary Sunday service of the Eucharist, in the company of the whole Christian community. During this extraordinary season of pandemic, we are making arrangements with individual families for smaller services under the Arcade, while remembering the baptized in prayer at the Eucharist and are planning future ways for our community to acknowledge and celebrate the baptisms that take place during this time. Of course, emergency baptism can be administered at any time.

4. I would like for my grandchildren to be baptized at St. Mark’s.  Can this be arranged?

That depends on both pastoral and theological considerations. If the parents live elsewhere it is preferable for their child to be baptized there, in the Christian community of which the parents are members. If, however, the parents have yet to establish a relationship with a church, or if there are family considerations and strong pastoral or historical reasons to have the baptism at St. Mark’s, it may be appropriate for the child to be baptized at St. Mark’s. The parents must be willing, however, to make the pledges relating to Christian commitment—including the pledge to bring the child up within a Christian community of faith. This means that they will make good faith efforts to join a church in the community where they live.

5. Is there a fee for baptism?                                                                               

No, but a free will offering to the church is always appropriate and most welcome.