You belong before you believe.
Baptism is the moment you say a wholehearted “yes” to God and step out in faith that a new life is waiting. Whether you’re bringing your child to the font or coming yourself, whether you are new to church or have been in it for years, you don’t need to arrive with the right words or a settled faith. You just need to show up.
The Promise of Baptism
At St. Thomas’, baptism happens in the midst of Sunday worship, surrounded by people who will actually know your name afterward. A godparent, a sponsor, a whole congregation promises, out loud, to help raise this child or walk alongside this adult in faith. That promise gets kept here through Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, community service opportunities, mentorship, and a community that keeps showing up long after the day itself.
Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. It marks you—truly, not symbolically—as God’s own. In the Episcopal Church, we don’t baptize people over and over as they grow or change churches; once is enough, because the promise doesn’t depend on us keeping up our end perfectly. It depends on God.
We baptize infants, children, and adults at St. Thomas’. If you were baptized in any Christian tradition, that baptism counts here too—we won’t ask you to do it again. If you’re an adult exploring baptism for the first time, you’re in good company; several adults have been baptized at St. Thomas’ in recent years.
2026/2027 Baptism Dates
Baptisms for all ages are offered several times a year during our 10:00 a.m. Sunday service.
All Saints: November 1, 2026
Baptism of our Lord: January 10, 2027
Easter Vigil: March 27, 2027 (evening)
Pentecost Sunday: May 16, 2027
“Being baptized with my daughter at St. Thomas’ was an incredibly powerful moment in my adult life. It opened me up to my vulnerabilities and imperfections, propelling me forward on my own journey of faith.”
—Maxfield G., a new member at St. Thomas’
FAQs
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Yes! Every candidate for baptism has at least one godparent or sponsor, someone who promises alongside you to nurture this new life of faith. For children, we ask that at least one godparent be a baptized Christian. Not sure who to ask, or want to talk through what the role actually involves? Contact us—we’re glad to help you think it through.
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The theology is the same: infants and adults receive the exact same sacrament, the same promise, the same welcome. What differs is who speaks the vows. Parents and godparents answer on behalf of an infant; a youth or adult answers for themselves. Either way, the whole congregation promises to support you.
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There’s no readiness test for baptism beyond desire. Recently, a man in his 70s was baptized at St. Thomas’. If you’re asking the question, you’re ready enough to have a conversation with one of our clergy about it! That's genuinely all it takes to begin.
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No. We recognize the baptism of every Christian tradition as the real thing. We will never ask you to be “re-baptized.” If you’d like to formally affirm that faith within the Episcopal Church as an adult, ask us about Confirmation instead.
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Baptism takes place during our 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, so your family and friends can be part of ordinary Sunday worship rather than a private event. The candidate (or their parents and godparents) answers a series of questions renewing the baptismal promises, water is poured over the head three times in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the whole congregation renews its own baptismal vows alongside you.
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Reach out to the Church Office or a member of our clergy, and we’ll set up a conversation and get you on the calendar for one of our upcoming baptism dates. For adults, we have a Life in Christ class as pre-baptism preparation that covers the fundamentals of life in the church and is a great way to dive deeper into faith. For more information email Mother Amy.