"In Holy Baptism the triune God delivers us from the forces of evil, puts our sinful self to death, gives us new birth, adopts us as children, and makes us members of the body of Christ, the Church...." (The Use of the Means of Grace, principle 14).

Baptism lies at very the heart of Christian life. Our practice of Holy Baptism (how and when we baptize) can be evaluated to determine how it reflects (or obscures) the significance of baptism in Christian life.

As people of God living in a post-Christian era, we must develop new and renewed seriousness about viewing baptism as the process of making disciples, of adults as well as children, and incorporating them into the public and witnessing community of the church. This renewed theology of baptism provides an opportunity to renew baptismal practices and thereby to reflect the true significance of the sacrament.

A strong baptismal theology calls for a strong baptismal practice, teaching and showing forth the meaning of Baptism…Those who plan Baptisms attend to the use of faithful words and gracious actions, to include the event within the Sunday service, to the architectural or natural setting, to the regular preparation of candidates, sponsors, parents, and the congregations for Baptism, to post-baptismal teaching that strengthens us for mission, and to the possibility of great festivals as times for Baptism. (The Use of the Means of Grace, background 25A)

A wonderful way to raise the profile of baptism and baptismal theology in congregational life is to celebrate baptismal festivals, that is, to schedule baptisms primarily on one or several great festivals of the church year, rather than at random throughout the year.

In some congregations baptisms are seen as a chore, rather than occasions for transformation and celebration. People often cringe when they see a baptism listed in the bulletin, because they make the service longer. Underneath this comment is a subtle recognition on the part of the average parishioner that our current baptismal practices often lack: true celebrative character, deep ritual power, and full, conscious, and active participation by the entire congregation.

In some ways baptism shares characteristics with various rites of initiation or rites of passage. Most rites of passage, whether secular or sacred, that involve initiation are celebrated in larger groups and infrequently, which highlights their importance and deepens the character of celebration.

The most appropriate festival of the church year on which to schedule baptisms is the great Vigil of Easter. Other appropriate festivals are:

• The Baptism of Our Lord
• Holy Trinity Sunday
• All Saint’s Day
• The Day of Pentecost

The following is a list of steps to take in order to establish baptismal festivals and festive baptisms:

• Teach people (through sermons, newsletter articles, adult forums) that the call to teach and to baptize is the prime directive of the church, through which God makes new disciples and incorporates them into Christian community and mission.
• Begin an Easter Vigil. Establish it from the start as a time for baptism or affirmation of baptism for the congregation (if there are no baptismal candidates).
• Begin the catechumenal process to prepare adults for baptism and the affirmation process for parents of children to be baptized and for others in the congregation who want to grow in their faith.
• Publicize upcoming baptismal festival dates in the newsletter and on the parish calendar (and Web site).
• Prepare a clear and well-written pamphlet on Baptism and the catechumenal process. Include a list of the actual calendar dates on which baptisms will occur for the upcoming year. Once people see that there is a regular schedule for baptism, and the times are always known (for example Vigil, Baptism of the Lord, Holy Trinity), invitations to relatives and extended family gatherings can be planned around one of the upcoming baptismal dates.
• Use full and rich symbols and rearrange the area around your baptismal font to make room for water. This change can be temporary if you bring in a hot tub or commercial planter — anything that can hold a significant amount of warm water. Have the candidates stand or kneel in water, dressed in an alb with a swimsuit underneath or in a baptismal gown and immerse them (if possible) or pour water over them, so that they become wet! Have ample towels on hand to dry them off, and designate a room for changing clothes.
• Choose hymns and songs that have baptismal themes, and select choir or special music to accompany and support the baptismal rite.
• Hold a short and festive reception for the newly baptized, those affirming their baptism, and the congregation after each vigil or baptismal festival.
• Recognize that there will always be exceptions to the new norm. A few baptisms will always occur outside the festival cycle for whatever reason, yet at the same time, baptismal candidates and the congregation will become comfortable with and look forward to a regular pattern of baptizing on festivals.