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Baptism does not invoke a magical charm that protects an infant from harm and evil; nor should parents who
have never been to church—and have no intention of coming to church again—seek baptism for their
child simply to satisfy a grandparent's wishes or to follow a family tradition. Instead, Baptism marks the first step of a lifelong faith journey in the light of God's love, as a follower and friend of Jesus. For that reason, we offer Baptism to children and adults of families who are active at Tansley, or who are beginning an active relationship with Tansley.
The meaning of all Baptisms is focused in two promises:
You promise that you will raise your child in the
knowledge and love of God
God promises to be your God and the God of your
children.
If you are thinking about having your child baptized at Tansley, we urge you to give prayerful consideration to the contents of this page. Please feel free to download or print this page for further exploration and consideration. The information on this page is also available as a brochure at the church.
The Celebration of Baptism
Baptism is a celebration because every child is a reason to celebrate, and God's love is also something to celebrate.
Infant Baptism is most common at Tansley, although children, youth and adults also receive the sacrament from time to time since it is open to all, regardless of age. (This page deals primarily with infant or child baptism.)
Understanding Baptism
Baptism is one of two sacraments in The United Church of Canada. (The other sacrament is the Lord's Supper
—also known as Communion.)
God acts in Baptism by receiving your child into God's care and within the fellowship of Christ's church, using the occasion to make God's love known. The use of water symbolizes the cleansing of heart and mind, and the new life in Christ that God intends for your child.
Promises
Baptism of Children involves promises that are taken by both the parents and the Tansley congregation.
Promises of the Parents
Minister: You have brought your child here for baptism. Do you believe in God and in God's love?Promises of the Congregation
Parents: Yes, we do.
Minister: Do you believe that God is known to us in Jesus of Nazareth, who lived and died and lives again?
Parents: Yes, we do.
Minister: Do you believe that God's Spirit is active in the world to direct and strengthen you?
Parents: Yes, we do.
Minister: Will you do your best to provide a Christian home for your children and will you encourage them to make a personal profession of faith?
Parents: Yes, we will.
All: As a baptized and baptizing church, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within a community which worships God, loves and serves others, seeks justice and resists evil. May God grant us all the grace to live out our baptism.There is a very basic meaning in these promises:
With faith, you the parent recognize God's love for
yourself and your child. With dedication, you promise to raise your child in a
Christian home, and within an ongoing and active relationship to the church and its congregation. We, the congregation of Tansley, promise to help you
raise your child in a Christian community of love and trust, with a knowledge of God's love as expressed
through Creation, and an appreciation of our responsibilities as stewards of that Creation.
How to Honour Your Promises
Be a parent whose care and discipline will help your
child to understand God's love.
Cultivate consistent Christian attitudes to life, and
so help your child to live with faith and courage.
Joyfully participate in the life and mission of the
Church.
Introduce your child early to prayer, Bible stories,
and worship.
Help Tansley to provide Christian education for your child and the children of others by volunteering to help with
Kids' Program
and other Christian Development programs.
Remember that all baptized children are received by the
Church in the name of Christ; support them with love, prayer, Christian example and teaching.
Requirements for Baptism at Tansley
You do not have to be an "official" member of Tansley or the United Church of Canada to have your child
baptized here. However, you need to:
- Be an active part of Tansley through attendance, and in opportunities for outreach and other congregational initiatives, or, if you are not currently attending Tansley, make a commitment to becoming an active part of Tansley.
- Make us aware of your attendance by signing the Friendship Pad as it is passed around, and introducing yourself to the minister.
- Ask yourself the following questions:
Making a Decision about Baptism
If your answer to all of these questions is "yes", then either email or otherwise contact Tansley's office for more information about Baptism, getting your child baptized at Tansley, or to inquire about upcoming Baptism dates.
After Baptism...
By the very definition of Christianity as the family of Christ, Christians cannot be raised in isolation
from
the rest of their "family". It takes a village to raise a child, and at Tansley, we believe that it takes
a Christian village to raise a Christian.
By having your child baptized, you agree that you will bring your child to worship on a regular basis so that your child will be a part of a Christian community. In return, we make a commitment that we will help nurture your children while making them aware of the love of God and the joy of God's creation.
As a child grows up in the love of God, there will come a time when each child will have an opportunity to profess his or her faith before the congregation. Tansley encourages young people (high school age and older) and adults, when ready, to seek membership in the church and publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ--thereby "confirming" the promises you made on their behalf at Baptism.