Can I have my child baptized at Killarney? Can I be baptized?

Yes. We embrace the opportunity to welcome children and adults into God's family through the Sacrament of Baptism. We believe that baptism is a sign or witness that the love of God embraces each person long before they are able to claim or name that love for themselves. Of course, it’s more than just a sign or symbol - it’s a sacrament, and thus there’s more than a hint of mystery about what happens in baptism, and we celebrate that mystery with joy!
At Killarney, parents of children do not necessarily need to be members of the congregation, nor of The United Church of Canada, but we will certainly encourage that relationship, and there will always be opportunity before baptism for parents and/or candidates to discuss with our minister the nature of their relationship with and participation in the life of the congregation. During the Baptism ceremony, the parents - or the adult being baptized -- are asked the following questions:
o Do you commit yourself to follow the way of Jesus in your public and private life?
o Do you profess your faith in one God, Creator, Christ, and Spirit?
o Will you promise to do your best to respond faithfully to the command of Jesus to love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself?
o Will you seek to nurture your child in such a way that he/she can know and sense God's love, and his/her rightful place in the community of God's people?
Accommodation can be made in the case of interfaith couples. In all but emergency or extraordinary circumstances, Baptism is celebrated in a Sunday morning service in the presence of the congregation. If you would like to discuss baptism for you or your child, please contact the church office.