Baptisms

Baptism is a ritual that embodies many layers of meaning. It is an expression of thankfulness to God for the gift of life itself. It is a symbolic recognition of a person's willingness to grow in God's love and wisdom. It relates to all aspects of our daily lives, and has special relevance for parents as they care for their children. It is a welcoming into the family of God and an expression of one's desire to be a part of that family. It is a sacrament that is available to people of all ages.

The sacrament of baptism is also a sign of a person's entrance into a faith community. We do not baptize into the Swedenborgian Church specifically but into the Christian tradition. We recognize all baptisms from other churches and do not expect re-baptism for those who join the Swedenborgian Church.

The Correspondence of Baptism

Emanuel Swedenborg believed in the coexistence of a natural and a spiritual world and that we can become aware of "correspondences" between the two worlds. In his twelve-volume commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Swedenborg described what he believed to be the correspondence, or inner meaning, of much of the Scriptures. One of the most important and common correspondences that Swedenborg addresses is water. Water corresponds to truth in many stories of the Bible, and the sacrament of baptism symbolizes the spiritual significance of being cleansed with love and wisdom. As we grow through time, God continually seeks to instill this life, love, and wisdom in us to bring us into our fullest spiritual humanity.

Your Baptism Service

We extend a warm invitation for you to celebrate this sacrament at the Church of the Good Shepherd. You are free to invite family and friends to attend. The service may include Godparents, if this is your desire. The baptism service includes a Bible reading, words about the meaning of baptism, the blessing, and prayers. Following the service you are given a Baptism Certificate. For information on how to schedule your baptism ceremony please contact the church office. We will do all that we can to make this a meaningful and joyous occasion for you.

Please contact the church if you'd like more information at (519) 743-3845.

 

116 Queen Street North. Kitchener, Ontario N2H 2H7. 519-743-3845.