Baptism is the "gateway" or "door" through which we enter into the community of the people of God.  We understand baptism to be a visible sign of God's saving love, extended to us before we are even aware of it.  In baptism, we acknowledge that we are loved and claimed by god and testify that we are taking our place among the community of God's people as disciples of Jesus.  The use of water in baptism is richly symbolic of the stories in the scriptures where God's saving acts were associated with water - Noah's ark as a refuge during the Flood, Israel's safe passage through the Red Sea during the Exodus, Jesus' own baptism in the Jordan River, etc.  In keeping with the historic practice, we celebrate baptism of both adults and children, believing that God's promises of love extend not only to individuals, but to families as well.  In keeping with most other Christian practice, we do not re-baptize.  Baptism, by definition, is a one-time event, and we accept the validity of baptisms performed in any other church or denomination.

Normally, baptisms are performed within the context of the Sunday worship service.  Since it represents initiation into the community of faith, the presence of the community is an important part of the rite itself.  Private baptisms are not normally done, except in rare extenuating circumstances.  Baptisms are normally also done for those who are members or regular attenders in our church or who have demonstrated their intention to become part of our church family through their participation.  Those wishing baptism for themselves or their children may contact the church office to schedule a meeting with one of the pastors.  When scheduling a baptism, every effort will be made to accomodate the individual's or family's needs.