Scheduling a Baptism
You must be a church member to schedule a baptism. We do not baptize on the first Sunday of the month in the sanctuary due to communion. We recommend 4 to 6 months of age, but any age is acceptable. Please call Mary Bishop at 214.523.2202 two months in advance for availability and information. No more than four baptisms are scheduled per service. Baptisms are done during the 9:30 and 11:00 Sanctuary and Cornerstone services and the 8:30 or 11:00 Cox Chapel services. If you are interested in joining, please contact Kay Porter (porterk@hpumc.org or 214.523.2227) prior to calling to schedule a baptism.
Baptism Preparation Class for First-Time Parents
The second Sunday of the month is the Baptism Preparation class for first-time parents. We meet from 10:50 a.m. to noon in room 384 (third floor by the elevator). Please drop your child off in the nursery (room 155), or you may bring them if you are more comfortable with that option.
The Baptism Day
Parking is a problem, so allow plenty of time. Please gather in room 202 (directly across from the library) about 30 minutes before the service. We understand if you need to cancel or if your baby gets sick at the last minute. We will simply reschedule. We are accustomed to cries, coos and unexpected events that young infants and children bring to the day. If your child is older and appears to not want to go to one of the ministers, you may be asked to hold the child during the baptism.
- In the Sanctuary service (9:30 or 11:00 a.m.), we save the back row of the west transept for the immediate (child & parents, siblings) family only. A volunteer will meet you in room 202 and take you to the reserved seats. They will escort you to the altar about 10 minutes into the service. Your extended family (grandparents, aunts & uncles) should arrive 30 minutes early in order to secure a seat in the front. As you go to the altar, family members are invited to follow and stand behind you. There is no limit to the number of family or friends, but please tell them what you want them to do beforehand.
- The Cornerstone service (9:30 or 11:00 a.m.) is generally open the second and third Sundays for baptisms. Please come to room 202 to check the information and dress the baby, or you may bring the baby already dressed. About 10 minutes before the service, you and your family will go to the new building (Wesley Hall) and find seats on the front rows for the Cornerstone Service. The baptisms are about 15 minutes into the service and are after the announcements.
- For the Cox Chapel service (8:30 or 11:00 a.m.), please come to room 202 to check in. About 10 minutes before the service, you will need to be seated in the front rows of Cox Chapel with your family surrounding you. The baptism takes place after the sermon.
* Mary Bishop handles scheduling for all baptisms.
General information
No pictures or videos are allowed during the service, but pictures may be taken after the service.
- The family and extended family are expected to stay for the service. If you need to, you may take your child to the nursery or the older children to their Sunday School rooms on the first floor and return for the service. Room 202 is open. Please leave your diaper bag and infant seat in the room, but not your purse or camera.
- The father wears a name tag with the “first and middle name” of your child, so the minister can see the name, as well as hear it from you when asked.
- Certificates are legal documents and should be placed in a safe place. They will be printed and mailed the 1st of the next month, so please check it when it arrives.
- The Tower publishes the names about three weeks after the baptism.
We pray that you will be able to savor this important day and sacrament in your life and in the life of your child.
