Because we receive a number of phone requests for Baptism and because of the importance placed on Baptism as one of the two primary sacraments of the Christian Church and because of the importance of Baptism as expressed in our "Membership at St. James’ Anglican Church" brochure – I want to remind the members of our Parish family and those who are non-attending/supporting Anglicans in the Cambridge area about what our Diocese has to say with regard to Christian Initiation and Baptism in particular – I quote from "Guidelines of the Incorporated Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Huron" –

"Baptism is a primary tool for evangelism and provides an opportunity for sharing the joy of coming into the Community of Faith. An understanding of Diocesan baptismal directions may be gained by referring to the Introduction to the Service of Baptism as contained on pages 146 – 149 of The Book of Alternate Services -----

Preparation

It is recommended that clergy set dates for baptism and the preparation of parents, and sponsors if possible, and publicize these dates well in advance, following general teaching regarding baptism and its meaning.

It is recognized that pastoral problems confront clergy when parents indicate NO intention of bringing up children in the Christian faith. It has NOT been a policy of the Anglican Church to administer baptism indiscriminately.

And an aid, it is suggested that a criterion for Christian parents should be their willingness to refresh their awareness of the meaning of baptism, the obligations of belonging to the People of God, and of bringing up their child to take seriously the intent of the Baptismal Covenant, at group/individual sessions organized by the Rector and the Parish Sponsors.

If, however, following this, and taking into consideration the possibility for future growth in understanding and faith of the parents and the child, the clergy strongly feel that there is no real intention of bringing up the child in the Christian Faith or of taking the vows of baptism with integrity, it would be better to defer baptism."

I fully endorse and support this stand. So, when I receive a phone call about Baptism, I first invite families to begin to attend St. James’ Anglican Church, especially if they have not been out to Church for a while, and I explain that once they have decided that St. James’ in the community of faith to which they wish to belong and in which to raise their child(ren), and once they have indicated their desire to become members of St. James’ through regular weekly attendance and financial support, then I am willing to discuss baptism with them and proceed with the necessary preparation for them and, if possible, their sponsors as well. The baptism of an infant is held based on the faith exhibited by the parents as baptism is a membership rite into a life of faith and the Church. So, I never say ‘NO’ to baptism, however parents who are NOT willing to attend or support the Church in which they wish their child to be baptized say NO to me.

Surely we do NOT want to "water down" our call to live a life of commitment to Jesus Christ our Lord and allow Baptism to become some nice meaningless act. We do NOT do "drop in baptisms."

St. James’ is NOT a Wedding Chapel, but is an active, alive Parish Church.

St. James’, therefore, is NOT rented out for Weddings. We do NOT do "drive by Weddings"!

All Weddings held in St. James’ Church must be according to the Rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Canons and Constitutions of the Anglican Diocese of Huron.

An Anglican Priest needs to be present at any Wedding ceremony held in the Church with the Rector of the Church giving permission for the marriage ceremony to be held.

At the request of the couple to be married, another Clergy person (Anglican or otherwise) may be invited by the Rector on behalf of the couple to be present for and to assist in the Wedding ceremony.

It is expected that couples coming to St. James’ to be married are looking for a Christian Wedding ceremony to begin a Christian marriage. With this in mind, couples are required to enter into marriage preparation either with the Rector or his designate for some time prior to the Wedding and to meet with the Rector to discuss the format and details of the Wedding ceremony.

If one or both members of the couple is divorced, the Rector will assist the couple with filling out the application for Permission to be Married in the Church which is then submitted to the Diocesan Marriage Commission for their approval to be married in the Church.

Also, as the Wedding ceremony is a Christian celebration, both members of the couple are expected to be baptized if they are not already – or at the very least to discuss with the Rector what faith, baptism and Church membership is all about.