The Search for Peace in Times of Chaos—Volume Church of Christ local churches, the Communion table is “open to all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.” In the early church, communion was served weekly—a practice continued and encouraged by the Protestant Reformers Gradually, the frequency of communion decreased in many churches This trend is now being reversed While no one pattern prevails in the United Church of Christ, many congregations are moving toward monthly or weekly communion Infant Baptism or Blessing Baptism is an initiatory rite Though the act of baptism is not the act of joining the church, it is signifying through public proclamation that the believer is joined to Christ and is identified with Christ and His Church Water is an essential element of baptism Water is a prominent symbol of cleansing and life in the Bible—the water of creation, the great flood, the liberation of Israel through the sea, the water of Mary’s womb, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the woman at the well, and Jesus’ washing of the feet of the disciples Water baptism, itself, has no saving power People are baptized not to be saved, but because they are saved Therefore, they don’t believe that Water Baptism is essential to salvation, but they teach that it is essential to full obedience to God’s Word In the United Church of Christ, the mode of baptism is a matter of choice Some traditions use sprinkling, some pouring, and some immersion For those who have never been baptized before, baptism marks their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, and God’s grace and forgiveness, and the beginning of their Christian faith and life The United Church of Christ recognizes the validity of all baptisms; therefore there is no need for re-baptism It is a well-accepted practice, however, for people to renew their baptismal vows in a service of baptismal renewal, such as the Order for Renewal of Baptism in the UCC Book of Worship 17 10