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Parent's
Preparation
Program
for
the
Baptism
of
Infants
and
Young
Children
Infant
baptisms
bubble
with
the
excitement
of
new
life.
Our
children
represent
the
infinite
possibilities
of
the
future.
Yet
infant
baptisms
are
not
really
about
babies
or
hope.
The
central
focus
of
infant
baptism
is
parents
and
their
faith.
The
best
thing
we
as
Christian
parents
can
do
for
our
children
is
to
nurture
our
faith.
A
parent
who
models
a
living,
growing
faith
gives
a
great
gift
to
his
or
her
child.
It
is
for
this
reason
that
we
at
St.
Stephen's
provide
a
comprehensive
preparation
program
for
parents
wishing
to
have
their
infants
or
young
children
baptized. Participation
in
this
required
preparation
program
allows
parents
the
opportunity
to
become
more
deeply
rooted
in
their
own
faith,
and
thus
prepares
them
to
fulfill
more
fully
and
faithfully
their
call
to
Christian
parenting.
Our
program
focuses
on:
(1) Helping
parents
to
deepen
their
own
understanding
and
experience
of
God's
love
and
call
to
us
in
the
Baptismal
Covenant.
(2) Helping
parents
apply
these
insights
to
their
ministries
of
parenting
and
family
life.
Whether
you
are
expecting
a
baby,
or
already
in
the
midst
of
parenthood,
it
is
never
too
early
to
begin
planning
your
participation
in
our
Baptism
preparation
program. Preparation
generally
begins
in
late
September
with
a
half
day
retreat,
followed
by
five
Sunday
meetings. Contact
the
Reverend
Jim Ward
at
jimward@ststephenschurch.org
or
(415)
435-4501
for
more
information,
or
to
register
for
our
next
baptism
classes.
Frequently
Asked
Questions:
Holy
Baptism
Q.
What
is
Holy
Baptism?
A.
Holy
Baptism
is
the
sacrament
by
which
God
adopts
us
as
his
children
and
makes
us
members
of
Christ's
Body,
the
Church,
and
inheritors
of
the
kingdom
of
God.
Q.
What
is
required
of
us
at
Baptism?
A.
It
is
required
that
we
renounce
Satan,
repent
of
our
sins,
and
accept
Jesus
as
our
Lord
and
Savior.
Q.
Why
then
are
infants
baptized?
A.
Infants
are
baptized
so
that
they
can
share
citizenship
in
the
Covenant,
membership
in
Christ,
and
redemption
by
God.
Q.
How
are
the
promises
for
infants
made
and
carried
out?
A.
Promises
are
made
for
them
by
their
parents
and
sponsors,
who
guarantee
that
the
infants
will
be
brought
up
within
the
Church,
to
know
Christ
and
be
able
to
follow
him.
(see
Catechism:
Book
of
Common
Prayer,
858-859.)
Q:
What
are
the
promises
that
parents,
sponsors,
and
godparents
are
asked
to
make
for
younger
children
and
Infants?
A:
There
are
two
main
commitments
parents
and
other
adults
make
on
behalf
of
their
children
at
baptism:
(1) Will
you
be
responsible
for
seeing
that
the
child
you
present
is
brought
up
in
the Christian
faith
and
life?
Parents
and
Godparents
respond
I
will,
with
God's
help.
(2) Will
you
by
your
prayers
and
witness
help
this
child
to
grow
into
the
full
stature
of
Christ?
Parents
and
Godparents
respond:
I
will,
with
God's
help.
(See
Holy
Baptism:
Book
of
Common
Prayer,
302.)
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