Talk about a productive Sunday! Luke and I kicked things off by going to church for the first time since Easter and initiating talks with the pastor about baptising Freka in the Episcopal tradition. Long-time readers will remember that we come from different faith denominations (Luke grew up Methodist and I was raised Catholic), so neither one of us were sure how to go about preparing our baby for life in another religious community. The pastor was very easy to talk to and promised to get in touch with us sometime this week, which is good, because I can't stop obsessing over whether or not we're supposed to designate godparents for our child. Does anybody know how Episcopalians feel about this?
However, we did learn that the church's next scheduled baptism is January 13, so apparently we can get a head start on our invitations. Yikes.
This evening, I finally downloaded Suze Orman's will and trust kit (will share more details when I post my next Project Freka update, presumably this Wednesday), and Luke and I decorated our apartment for Christmas--nothing fancy, just the tree, stockings, and a festive tablecloth, but the place already has a much warmer feel. Holiday CDs have been dusted off, we're already going through half a gallon of eggnog a week, and my VHS copy of A Very Brady Christmas is ready for a spot in our rotation of seasonal movie staples, which currently include It's a Wonderful Life and Elf. Luke is less than eager to witness Mike and Carol spend perfectly good vacation money on plane tickets for the kids, their spouses, and their spawn, not to mention their poor treatment of Alice, who they allow to serve them breakfast in her FREAKING UNIFORM, even though she's no longer pulling in a paycheck.
Valid points, yes, but I still say bah, humbug. He clearly hasn't consumed enough eggnog.
The Episcopal Church is VERY similar to Catholicism in many, many things, and they DO have godparents for baptism.
Posted by: Jenny | November 19, 2007 at 12:18 AM
I heart eggnog. I haven't seen the Brady Christmas... it sounds like something I should check out.
Posted by: Becca | November 19, 2007 at 10:24 AM
I agree with Jenny. I am Episcopal, and I have Godparents. Also, in most things, you can assume the Episcopal Church will be in line with what you grew up with in the Catholic church. Major exceptions: Priests can be married, or female, you don't have to be an Episcopalian to take communion, marriage after divorce is not as difficult, and... I'm sure there are some others.
However, I think you only have to have at least one Godparent, there's not a requirement of 3 anymore.
Posted by: Sadie | November 19, 2007 at 12:03 PM
You two are so thoughtful. You plan ahead so very well. Jan. 13th 2008 sounds like a great day to me.
Posted by: daddy dd | November 19, 2007 at 12:06 PM
I just love the movie Elf, it's hilarious!
Holy crap, Jan 13 will be here before you know it
Posted by: Emmakirsten | November 19, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I'm also Catholic, but I dropped out of catechism a long time ago because I hated my teacher, lol. I used to know a lot about my religion, but now most of it's fuzzy.
I'm so excited for Christmas!!! We're almost done decorating, and we've also taken out the good ole Christmas movies!
Posted by: Christar | November 19, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Welcome to the religion! I'm an Episcopalian. Word. To your mom. We do get god parents. As I think I've told you before, Edgar was raised Catholic, but he isn't really practicing, so it has been no big deal for him to join my faith. We are currently doing the premarital counseling with my minister--who, by the way, is awesome!
I wouldn't feel pressured to get the baby baptized right away though...I mean she'll only be about a month old. Obviously, it's up to you, but you're going to be very busy with, well, a baby! You could always wait for the next "round."
Posted by: Lindsey | November 19, 2007 at 07:30 PM
Yes, Alice! I feel the same way!
Posted by: Molly | November 19, 2007 at 10:12 PM
I was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal church, and I do have godparents, although they've all passed away now. They were more symbolic than anything else; they didn't take a hugely active role in my spiritual guidance and they certainly weren't the people my parents would have designated to take care of me if they passed away.
I think it's awesome you are looking into this and that you're planning ahead for it!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 19, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Am I the only one who went looking for a comment from an "Alice" that I thought Molly was agreeing with?
Then I realized what she meant...Silly me!
Posted by: Jenny | November 19, 2007 at 10:35 PM
"Oh children or Adam it is only your deeds that I hold accountable for you"The Quran. As Muslims we do not believe that any human has the power to absolve us of our sins. ( becuase if they could forgive us then they could stop us from sinning) nor do we believe that we are going to be punished for the sins of our fathers ie Adam and Eve. God created us and to him we return. Throwing water on a child will not save him from the Day of Judgement.
Posted by: Um Ibrahim | November 20, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Um Ibrahim: We're not "throwing water on her" to save her from judgement. We're doing it because we want to welcome her into the Christian community.
Posted by: Frema | November 20, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Um Ibrahim is a douchebag.
My dad was raised Baptist and my mom Catholic so they compromised also. I was baptized Episcopalian also. I did, in fact, have godparents. Like a few have said before, the Episcopal church is much like the Catholic church.
Posted by: Rachel | November 20, 2007 at 02:39 PM
I know i'm late to the game, but I'm chiming in anyway to join Lindsey in welcoming you to the "Catholic-Lite" world of Episcopalians! We do get godparents. And we get to drink real wine for communion. And we allow people of all genders and sexual orientations to be clergy in our church. It's pretty sweet, and so is your mom.
Posted by: Audrey | November 28, 2007 at 01:02 PM