In the Episcopal Church, Baptism is the initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into full membership of the Church. Water is its essential visible sign, and the candidate is either immersed in it or has a liberal quantity poured over them. There is no other requirement than Baptism in order to participate in the Holy Eucharist; and equally no person who is not baptized may do so.
Our church recognizes all baptisms performed with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: this means that anyone baptized in a Christian church of any denomination may take communion in an Episcopal Church. For more on the origins and meanings of Baptism,
Readers who are not fully communicant members of the Episcopal Church should understand that it is the view of the Episcopal Church that infant and child Baptism is only appropriate when at least one parent is an active member of a congregation and thus willing and able to raise the baptized child as a Christian within the Church and congregation. Historical and cultural affinity or having been baptized as an Episcopalian oneself are not, without an ongoing commitment to a Christian life within the Church, a sufficient justifications for Baptism of a child at an age when that child is incapable of making commitments for him or herself.
Baptism initiates the candidate into the communal life of the congregation. In the Episcopal Church, therefore, Baptisms are normally administered publicly during the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. Easter, Pentecost, All Saints' Day and the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ are especially appropriate days, as is the day of the bishop's visitation.
Each adult candidate for Baptism must have at least one sponsor who is an active member of the congregation in which the candidate is to be baptized. In the case of infants or younter children, at least one sponsor, called a godparent, will make the baptismal vows on behalf of the child. Such a godparent must, therefore, be a member of the Episcopal Church and of the congregation that the candidate will be joining. In either case, other persons whose presence the family or candidate desires can be witnesses to the baptism, even if they are not members of the Episcopal Church.
