Baptizing Our Daughter

C.,

My husband was raised Methodist and I was raised Lutheran (Missouri Synod). The Missouri Synod Lutheran churches are much more strict. I had already started attending Evangelical Lutheran churches since I felt more comfortable there because women can be more involved(Evangelical Lutheran churches even have female pastors, which is fantastic, in my opinion). When we checked out churches, we tried one Missouri Synod church and my husband felt that it was too "stuffy". Anyway, I am guessing that your husband if from a more strict Lutheran church. You may want to check out an Evangelical Lutheran church, because it may be a bit of a middle ground for both of you. There are quite a few in the area. I attend Grace Lutheran Church on Harlem (between Grand and Diversey). If you would like to chat about it feel free to send me a message and we could talk or I could answer any questions you might have.

Good Luck,
D.

Wayside Chapel in Palos Hills did a beautiful service. They are non-denominational and included everyone in the service...that part I really liked. it was $100 if I recall correctly and the photos I got were AMAZING..since it is kind of wooded. The pastor and everyone that worked there were super friendly and even though I am baptist, my daughter's godfather is Catholic, and the Godmother is Apostolic everyone was happy. Her father is uninvolved and they made me feel comfortable about that also. All around it was a really good experience. Afterward everyone that attended said it was one of the nicest Christenings they had been to, and they appreciated that he involved them also.

If you're not specifically looking for a Lutheran church, call a United Church of Christ and see what they require for a baptism. It's a very welcoming, open denomination.

Hi C.,
I know baptisms can become a big concern for families and extended families, with all sorts of unnecessary pressures. I'm a pastor in the Lutheran Tradition - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Sounds like your husband might be from the Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Synod. There are some theological and structural differences between the Presbyterian church and Lutheran Churches.

I'd just suggest visiting the local Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in your area and seeing which one feels comfortable. You can find "church finder" links on the websites for the National Presbyterian church as well as all the Lutheran Synods (Wisonsin Synod, Missouri Synod, or ELCA).

Some churches require the parents to attend New Member Classes before they'll baptize children. It's their way of ensuring that parents are taking the promises they make in baptism seriously.

If you're wanting to expediate the process, perhaps you could check with your grandmother's church/pastor or another connection you have in your family. Or check with the clergy person who married you.

But I would encourage you to take some time and find a faith community/tradition that you feel comfortable with and would enjoy staying connected with as your child grows up.

Best Wishes - Patricia B

C.,
I would need to know a little more about your situation. Is your husband's family Wisconsin Synod or Missouri Synod? I could suggest a number of LCMS churches near me that you could speak to the pastor about baptism, but I'm not sure where you live.
Most churches would ideally like you to be members there, and active members at that, in that you are making a promise to raise your daughter in the knowledge of God and that Jesus Christ is her Savior. Baptism makes her a part of God's family now and the teaching you give her from this point on is important. Are you at all thinking about connecting with a church family and becoming involved there?
Feel free to write to me and I'll try to help if I can.
Kind regards,
R.

Hi C.:
I am Presbyterian too and my son's father was Catholic. I spoke to my mother about this as she is very active in the church etc. She said that since it is so important to his family to have the baby baptized in the Catholic church, there is one key thing for me to consider: the Catholic church would not recognize a baptism in the Presbyterian church, but the Presbyterian church would recognize a baptism in the Catholic church. So whatever my son decides when he gets older, he will be able to go through the confirmation process and join either church.
For me, it was just important that he was baptized, so even though I am not Catholic, the ceremony was SO beautiful and I feel better that it is done.
I don't think there are many churches that will "turn you down" for a baptism, but check into what it means for both. The Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave. is a really beautiful place...not sure where you are located, but there is also a really nice one in Deerfield.
Good luck and congratulations!

Try The Shrine Of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago,
They are on West Lexington in little Italy right off Taylor Street. I am almost positive they will welcome all. Good Luck!