First United Methodist Church

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Baptism:

For United Methodists, baptism is the sacrament of initiation that joins us with the Church and with Christians everywhere. In both the Old and New Testaments, God enters into a covenant relationship with God's people. Persons of any age are able to be baptized because Christ’s body, the Church, is a great family that includes persons of all ages. Because baptism initiates us into Christ’s whole Church and not only into a denomination, United Methodists recognize all Christian baptisms and look upon baptism as something that should unite, rather than divide, Christians.

You can become a member of the body of Christ, the church, by being baptized into it or by reaffirming your baptism. Baptism is a ritual made up of questions and promises, prayer, and washing. In most United Methodist churches the washing is accomplished by sprinkling. Sometimes it is done by pouring or immersion, but you will choose which way you want to be washed. Youth and adults go through a time of preparation and instruction before they are baptized. In the case of infants and children, the parents receive instruction. In this way they are helped to know God, the meaning of being "members of the body," and what it is they are committing themselves to.

What happens at baptism? Baptism initiates a covenant of relationship between God and the baptized person and between the church and the person. When you are baptized or affirm your baptism, the congregation enacts God's grace toward you and welcomes you into the community of faith. As a baptized Christian, you will be part of the universal church and part of a particular community of Christians where you are known and watched over in love.

If you are a family seeking baptism for an infant or child, or seeking baptism for yourself, please contact Pastor Hillary for further information. Baptism happens only once, so those baptized as children may "renew and reaffirm" their baptism in rituals of "confirmation" and "reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant."

Confirmation:

Confirmation signifies the beginning of a lifetime of spiritual discovery, spiritual formation, and re-affirmations or confirmations in the church. “Confirmation" is a moment of recognition of the work of God's grace in the life of a person previously baptized as well as an embrace of being a disciple. For United Methodists, it often occurs when youth enter their junior high school years.

At FUMC Santa Barbara, confirmation preparation classes are held once a year, traditionally after the New Year. This multi-week series culminates in a special worship service on Pentecost Sunday. Youth are invited to explore more about themselves, their faith, and God.

Communion:

Eating together is about as basic and special an experience as we can have in life. From nursing as a baby to Thanksgiving dinner to sharing a hamburger at a fast food court with friends, our relationships with other people almost always include food. We are shaped in eating meals with others. There is a distinctive sense of bonding between those who share a meal. Holy Communion is about discovering and being shaped in our relationship with God and with others who seek and know the God Jesus knew.

In the simple act of eating and drinking, the community of faith proclaims and participates in all that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us in Christ. All United Methodist congregations use some form of bread and some form of grape juice; not wine. The use of unfermented juice of the grape accommodates children and those who are recovering alcoholics.

Simple bread and sharing a cup have a powerful meaning for us. While they remain bread and fruit of the grape, they are symbols that connect us to the love and power of God. With other Christians, United Methodists believe that Communion is a sharing in the life of God and a meeting with the living Jesus forgives and claims us as his own disciples.

The Communion is always part of a full service that includes gathering, reading and proclaiming the gospel, praying for others, and sending people out to live by the power and love of God. The table ritual includes placing food on the table, giving thanks for the God’s action, invoking God’s Spirit on the people and the elements, and breaking the bread. These actions take place before sharing the bread and cup.

Should I partake of the meal if I want to? The table of Holy Communion is Christ’s table, not the table of The United Methodist Church or of the local congregation. It is not a meal in the clubhouse for members only! It is open to all regardless of age or church membership. The table is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love and seeks to lead a new life of peace and love, as the invitation to the table says. If you choose not to partake, you may simply remain in your seat and observe while others go forward. If the elements are passed in the pews, you may feel free to pass them along without partaking.

Shortly before he died, Jesus initiated a special spiritual practice for his followers. While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

When we share in this meal, we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus. We declare our willingness to join him in spreading love throughout the world, even if it means that we may suffer for it sometimes. We are one with Jesus and his mission. If, then, Jesus unites us, then naturally we must be united one with one another. We are all fed from the same loaf and drink from the same cup of God’s love. This love unites us with God and with each other, so the meal is called Communion (“united with”). Some people also call this simple meal the Eucharist—thanksgiving and blessing. Others call it the Lord’s Supper—remembrance and re-experience. Still others may call it Holy Communion—sacred oneness and unity. All refer to this holy sacrament symbolizing the body and blood of Christ.

At FUMC Santa Barbara, Communion is shared the first Sunday of each month and all are welcome to participate in this sacrament – members and non-members of the Church, and people of all ages.

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