Baptism is a symbolic action that signifies the new life God gives us as we join the Christian community. The sacrament of baptism is the single rite of initiation into the church. Water is used as a symbolic cleansing, signifying the beginning of new life within the church family.

The United Church offers baptism to all ages. We believe the gift of God’s love doesn’t depend on our ability to understand it, so we baptize people as infants right up through adulthood. With children, instruction is given to parents or sponsors to equip them for the child’s Christian nurture. During the ceremony, everyone in the congregation pledges support for the child and his or her parents.

Baptism is not a requirement for God’s love. We believe people who die without baptism are in no way lost, condemned or damned.

Baptism in the United Church is recognized by all denominations of the Christian church that practise infant baptism. Similarly, if people have already been baptized in another church, the United Church recognizes their baptism and welcomes them as Christians.

In all cases, preparation is required for baptism. The minister meets with the parent(s) of an infant, or the adults being baptized, to discuss the promises that are being made. Baptism is always incorporated into Sunday worship, so several months of planning ahead is necessary.

A sample service for infant baptism can be found at this link:  Baptismal liturgy

To discuss baptism at Warren or Meadow Lea United Churches, please contact the church office or the minister.