Membership/Baptism

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="063d6c00ddvuru.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="084a1320.jpg" border=0 width="161" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About our Church"><U><B>About Our Church</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prayer Request"><U><B>Prayer Request</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Congregationalism"><U><B>Congregationalism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Worship"><U><B>Worship</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plymouth People"><U><B>Plymouth People</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Youth"><U><B>Youth</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership/Baptism"><U><B>Membership/Baptism</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Weddings"><U><B>Weddings</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Funerals/other Rites"><U><B>Funerals/Other Rites</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Ministers"><U><B>Our Ministers</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermons"><U><B>Sermons</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Solid Rock"><U><B>Solid Rock</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>Membership/Baptism</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>There is one body and one Spirit- </I><I>just as you were called to one hope when you were called-  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.</I></div> <div>                                                                                                                               Ephesians 4: 4-6</div> <bR> <div> Baptism is a sign that one has affirmed the call to be part of God's family, accepted the gift of God's grace and salvation, and has joined with the Body of Christ worldwide: past, present, and future. We welcome all who seem to be baptized.</div> <bR> <div> Our church constitution states that our church is open all people who seek to live a Christian life. To become a member of Plymouth Church, one must be or become baptized, affirm the covenant of our church, and express their desire to become a member. If one is already baptized, they need only transfer their membership to Plymouth.</div> <bR> <div> The tradition of Plymouth Congregational Church has generally toward infant baptism. However, we are open to adult or believer baptism as we respect the faith journey and traditions of those discerning baptism. In keeping with our respect for other faith traditions and your journey, we do not re-baptize people. We do observe a renewal of baptismal vows on the part of individuals and also include this in our Worship services from time to time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Can you be baptized at Plymouth Church without becoming a member?</B></div> <div> Our church constitution states that one must be or become baptized to become a member. It does not, however, state that one must become a member in order to be baptized. Occasionally, someone will seek baptism for an infant shortly after the child is born and when the family is planning to relocate. In situations like this, like all others, we try to respond pastorally and helpfully. Strictly speaking, we do not require church membership for baptism. However, since baptism is the act of joining God's family, one needs to ask the reason for the baptism if one does not intend to be a part of a faith or worshipping community.</div> <bR> <div> <B>How often are baptisms held?</B></div> <div> They are scheduled periodically based on the worship schedule and that of those who seek baptism. It is normative and preferable for baptism to take place within the Sunday Worship service. Exceptions have been made under special circumstances.</div> <bR> <div> Baptisms are always scheduled as a result of a meeting with our minister.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>