Baptism at Bethesda-by-the-Sea

“Marked as Christ’s own forever.”

At its heart, baptism is about the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are marked as Christ’s own forever.

In the Episcopal Church, baptism is also the Church’s initiation rite — the sacrament through which we are welcomed into the household of God. It is not simply a rite of passage, but a rite of commitment—an invitation into relationship with God and into the life of the Church.

For infants and children, baptism celebrates God’s love already at work in their lives. Parents and godparents make promises on their behalf, committing to raise them in the Christian faith. For adults, baptism is a personal affirmation of faith and a public commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

In both cases, baptism is not a private event. It takes place within the context of the worshiping community, because faith is something we live out together. As such, every baptism at Bethesda-by-the-Sea is a joyful, communal celebration of God’s grace.

If you are considering baptism, either for yourself or for your child, the first step is to join us regularly for worship. This allows you to begin forming a connection with the community, and for us to get to know you as well.

The next step is to complete our online Baptism Information Form, which helps us learn more about your story and connection to Bethesda. From there, a member of the parish staff will guide you through the preparation process. For adults, this includes a series of baptismal classes. For parents and godparents, we offer a preparation session to explore the meaning of baptism and walk through the service itself. 

Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year on specific and theologically appropriate feast days. 

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here, and we look forward to celebrating this sacred moment together.