Baptism is
God's love made visible.
Baptism is a sacrament of beginning—a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. Through water and the Spirit, God welcomes us into the family of God and invites us into the baptismal life.
What is Baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament of beginning—a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. Through water and the Spirit, God gives new life, joins us to Jesus Christ and his Church, and welcomes us into the family of God.
Baptism is first and foremost God’s work: a gift of grace we receive and then learn to live into.
How We Celebrate Baptism
Because baptism is God’s gift before it is our response, the Church celebrates that gift at different moments in a person’s life. At CWC, we celebrate believer’s baptism and infant baptism, and we practice confirmation as a public affirmation of baptism already received.
Believer's Baptism
Credo-Baptism
For those who are ready to profess faith in Jesus Christ, baptism celebrates God’s grace and our response together. Those being baptized publicly profess their faith and are ordinarily baptized by immersion.
Infant Baptism
Pedo-Baptism
In infant baptism, the Church celebrates God’s grace at work before a child is old enough to understand or respond for themselves. Parents and the congregation promise to nurture the child in the faith, with the hope that they will one day confirm their baptism for themselves.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a public affirmation of the faith and promises first expressed in baptism. Those being confirmed profess their faith in Jesus Christ, testify to God’s grace in their lives, and publicly embrace the baptismal life.
One baptism, celebrated at different moments: God gives; we respond.
What if I've already been baptized?
Because baptism is first and foremost God’s work, CWC practices one baptism. Our understanding may deepen, our faith may grow, and we may even look back on our baptism wishing our circumstances or response had been different—but God’s grace is not dependent on our perfect understanding or response. God does not need a do-over.
When someone who has already been baptized desires to publicly affirm renewed faith in Christ, we celebrate that through confirmation or remembrance of baptism—returning to the water not because God needs to make his promise again, but because sometimes we need to remember what he has already promised.
For this reason, CWC does not practice re-baptism.
For Parents
Baptism or Dedication?
Parents presenting a child into the Church may choose either infant baptism or child dedication. Both practices entrust a child to God and express a commitment to nurture them in the way of Jesus, but they understand the beginning of that journey differently.
In infant baptism, the child receives baptism as a gift of God’s grace, with the hope that they will one day publicly confirm that baptism for themselves.
In child dedication, parents dedicate their child to God, with the hope that the child will later receive baptism when they are ready to profess faith in Jesus Christ. There is no need to make this decision from pressure or fear. We hope this video helps you discern which practice best reflects your understanding of God’s grace and your hopes for your child.
When We Celebrate Baptism
We celebrate baptism and confirmation at several significant moments throughout the Christian Year.
Believer's Baptism & Confirmation
Resurrection Sunday
Mid-Ordinary Time (late July)
All Saints Sunday (first Sunday in November)
Infant Baptism
Epiphany Sunday (first Sunday on or after Jan. 6)
Resurrection Sunday
Mid-Ordinary Time (late July)
All Saints Sunday (first Sunday in November)
The additional Epiphany celebration means families choosing infant baptism ordinarily never need to wait more than about three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is invited to be baptized?
Baptism is for anyone who has not yet been baptized. Children, youth, and adults may receive baptism as a response to God’s gracious invitation, entering the baptismal life of Christ and his Church. Infants may also receive baptism as a sign that God’s grace precedes our understanding or response, welcomed into the family of God and nurtured toward a future affirmation of that gift through confirmation.
Do I have to attend the Baptism & Confirmation Class?
Those preparing for believer’s baptism or confirmation attend the class to trace the story of baptism through Scripture, reflect on God’s grace already at work in their lives, and consider the life into which he is inviting them. They’ll also walk through the service, begin their statement of faith, and learn about the baptism project they’ll complete with a staff member.
Parents presenting an infant for baptism do not need to attend the class at this time; we hope their child will participate later when they are ready to confirm their baptism.
What if I was baptized as an infant?
When you are ready to personally affirm the faith into which you were baptized as an infant, the Church invites you to confirmation—a public profession of faith and affirmation of your baptism, marked not by another immersion, but by the sign of the cross with water on your forehead.
Can I be baptized again?
CWC practices one baptism. Because baptism is first and foremost God’s work, it does not need to be repeated when our faith deepens, our circumstances change, or we experience spiritual renewal. Instead, we return to our baptism through confirmation, testimony, or remembrance—celebrating that God’s promise remains true.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re preparing for baptism, confirming a baptism already received, or discerning infant baptism for your child, we’d be glad to walk with you.
Believer’s Baptism or Confirmation
Register for the next Baptism Class. Together we’ll explore the biblical story of baptism, reflect on the baptismal life, and prepare you to share a brief statement of faith.
Infant Baptism
Go ahead and register for an upcoming baptism celebration. Neither you nor your infant needs to attend the Baptism Class at this time. When your child is older, we hope they’ll choose to confirm their baptism and participate in the class then.