Baptism is the sacrament of belonging. It is the sign that we belong to God, through Christ. And belonging to God, we also belong to one another. When we baptize someone we affirm that this person has a spiritual home in the heart of God, and among the people of Jesus Christ.

As baptized people we are reborn into a spiritual family. In some mysterious way God joins the baptized person to himself and to the church. We die and are reborn “by water and the Spirit” into the mystical body of Christ and linked to all Christian people as brothers and sisters in Christ. Infant baptism reminds us that we are all drawn into relationship with God on a common basis. God is at work in our lives, not because of anything we do, or because of any merit in our lives. “When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:4,5)

Baptism is about faithfulness and constancy. God’s love never changes. His love is a permanent, unfailing love – freely given, and not dependent upon our love. Throughout our lives, our response to God’s gift of grace will vary. At times we will exercise great trust; at times we will fail to trust. But God who baptized us, never lets us go. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See I have inscribed you on the palm of my hand.” (Isaiah 49:15,16)

At St. Philip’s, baptisms are conducted during the main service of worship on a Sunday. Services of Baptism are normally planned around four special Sundays each year – Easter, Pentecost, All Saints and the Baptism of the Lord. If there is good reason, a baptism may be scheduled for another Sunday.

When an infant is being baptized, parents normally select several “Sponsors” – previously called “godparents.” A sponsor is intended to be someone who will take an interest in the child’s spiritual life and well-being. The sponsor will pray regularly for the child, will model Christian faith and will remember the anniversary of the child’s baptism. It would seem likely that appropriate sponsors will be active, involved members of a Christian church. If parents are unsure of who to select to be sponsors for their children, they may choose to present the children themselves, without specifically identified sponsors.

Sponsors and parents of a child being brought forward for baptism should be aware of the promises which they will make on behalf of the child they present for baptism. These promises can be found in the book of Alternative Services (p. 153 & 154). The commitments and statements made in the Baptism service are serious and weighty. Families will want to think carefully and prayerfully before committing themselves before God and before the Church to these promises.

After baptism children are free to receive communion whenever they, and their families feel they are ready.

What is Confirmation ?
Confirmation can mean a number of things depending upon the person who is participating in the service.

1. In the Anglican tradition baptism is generally administered to infants, and Confirmation provides an opportunity to make a mature public profession of Christian faith.
   
   Faith is more than just an individual and private matter. Christian faith is also a family, and a community reality. So Baptism first symbolizes the child’s full inclusion in the family of faith.
   
   But Christian faith is also personal, and there comes a time when a person needs to affirm for themselves belief in the teachings of the Christian faith and allegiance to the person of Jesus Christ. Confirmation offers this opportunity and should be shared in when a person has reached a level of maturity suitable of making this kind of serious commitment.
   
   
2. Confirmation is also about membership in the Anglican Church. When we connect ourselves to an Anglican Church we connect ourselves to a community that is much wider, more diverse and vastly richer than any local church on its own. This connection is symbolized for us by our Bishop, James Cowan, who represents the Anglican Church on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. He also represents us at the councils of our church at a national and international level.

If you have previously been confirmed in another denomination but now feel some commitment to involvement in the Anglican Church, the service of Confirmation also provides an opportunity to be “received into the Anglican Communion.” Please speak to Christopher for information about our next Confirmation classes.

The Service of Holy Communion in the Anglican Church is commonly referred to by a number of names.

You will hear this service called "The Eucharist." Eucharist comes from the Greek word for "Thanksgiving". This reminds us that in the Communion Service we give thanks to God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. Particularly we give thanks for the death and resurrection of Christ and the new life and hope which he brings to all creation.

The Eucharist is also called "The Lord's Supper." This reminds us that our Communion Service is rooted in the historical events of Jesus Christ. It also reminds us that this is the one form of worship we are commanded by Jesus to perform. When Jesus shared in the first Lord's Supper with his disciples, he told them to "Do this in remembrance of me."

It is customary in the Anglican Church to leave our pews and come forward to receive the bread and wine at the altar rail. We come to the railing as a community of equals. When we gather at the table, we leave behind all our status and all our worldly accomplishments. Moving from pew to altar is a symbol that Christian life involves leaving behind anything which might hinder our freedom to walk with Jesus.

There is no particular necessity to kneel at the altar rail. If kneeling is uncomfortable or even impossible, we should feel absolutely free to stand at the altar rail to receive the bread and wine.

Home Visits for Communion
For those parishioners unable to get to Church, a home visit for Communion is available upon request. Call the church office to arrange a time (592-6823).