Baptisms
Baptism Services at the Aspen Chapel
We are pleased that you are considering the Aspen Chapel as the place for the significant sacrament of Baptism. It is our desire to help make this event a meaningful celebration for yourself and your child.
Religious Emphasis
The Aspen Chapel is an interfaith chapel. To be baptized here or to have your child baptized here, it is not required that you are a current or active member of any particular religious group, but see yourself, individually and corporately, as part of the greater and universal family of God.
To provide spiritual integrity to this service, only ordained and full-time clergy are allowed to perform baptisms here. Rev. Dr. Gregg Anderson, Chaplain, performs most of the baptisms. In keeping with the personal and ecumenical approach, we welcome other ordained clergy performing services at the Chapel. We will be happy to work with him or her.
Consultation
If Rev. Anderson is performing the baptism, he requires 1 to 2 hours of prior consultation. This time allows you to get to know each other, and is an opportunity for discussion of the intent of baptism, and the content of the actual service itself. The form of the service is responsible to Christian tradition. If you would like, you may bring along any readings, poems, scripture passages or appropriate personal writings to include in the service.
This informal consultation is meant to be helpful by giving a clearer understanding of baptism. It is a good opportunity for personal reflection over aspects of our lives about which we do not always have an opportunity to talk. Only after the consultation is the Baptismconfirmed.
Please make an appointment to meet with Rev. Anderson preferably about two weeks before the baptism. If you are from out of town, other arrangements can be made.
The Service
Rev. Anderson prefers performing baptisms as a part of the Sunday morning worship service. Because the person is baptized into the “greater family of God”, it is appropriate to have worshippers present to accept the newly baptized person, and to respond to the promises made. Private baptisms occur only with extenuating circumstances such as problems of health.
Requested Contribution
The Aspen Chapel is a non-profit religious organization. The requested contribution reflects the fact that the Chapel is not supported by a membership like most churches. It is based on actual costs for the Chapel and the Chaplain’s time. Suggested contributions for baptism are from $100—$500 or more. A 365 Fund membership is an option, as is a worship service sponsorship in honor of you or your child’s baptism.
As a Chapel, we of course never want to turn anyone away for financial reasons. Any amount contributed is appreciated.
Reception
There is a reception following the worship service at which time the person baptized, parents, and friends can be welcomed by other worshippers. We ask that you please plan to attend the reception.
Extras
If you would like to provide the altar flowers on the day of the baptism, please let us know. If you would like to provide a cake or other special food for the reception, we will coordinate with the host. If you have any special music requests, the Music Director will work with you and the Chaplain, and use the requested music if it is appropriate for the worship service.
We hope that the above information will be helpful to you. Our desire is for your experience here at the Aspen Chapel to be a happy and personal one.