My first Sunday at the Altar and in the Pulpit of St. Mark’s coincides with our celebration of the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (January 11). On that day we focus on Baptism, and I cannot imagine a more fitting way to begin my life as pastor among you.
Baptism is a powerful, personal event. Christ marks us as his own forever. The Father calls us to ministry in his Church. The Holy Spirit infuses us with the power to carry out that ministry. Baptism is personal, but it is not private.
The sacrament of Baptism not only incorporates individuals into the Body of Christ, it commits all of us in the Body to the care, nurture and formation of each new Baptismal Candidate. Before we all renew our Baptismal Covenant, the celebrant asks the congregation, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” (BCP 303) In other words, as people of Baptism, we are all called to help each other grow into the full stature of Christ.
This is why the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer stress that Baptism should occur during a principal service on Sunday. As the Prayer Book says, “Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.” (BCP 298)
In the future we will be following the practice directed by the Book of Common Prayer, celebrating Baptism only in the context of a principal service. We do have some private Baptisms already on the calendar and will joyfully celebrate those as planned. But for future Baptisms please contact me for a date so that we can all celebrate together in the context of a Sunday Eucharist.
In addition to The Baptism of Our Lord, the Prayer Book designates the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, and All Saints’ Day as particularly appropriate for Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Lent is traditionally a time set aside for Baptismal preparation, so we will not perform Baptisms during that season. However, additional dates will soon be posted for each month and I will work with families to find dates that allow for participation by family and friends in this joyful sacrament.
For some of you this practice represents a change. Please feel free to talk to me about your thoughts and feelings about this or to just learn more about our Church’s baptismal theology. My door is always open and this would be a wonderful way for us to start getting to know each other. For that matter, come on by to just talk, I can’t wait to spend time with you!
