Baptism is one of the two sacraments recognised by the Church of Scotland, the other being the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

In the case of infant baptism, the Church expects at least one parent or other close family member either to be a member of the Church or willing to become a member. In the baptismal service those appropriate adults profess their own faith and promise to give the child a Christian upbringing.

In the case of adult baptism, the person themselves makes the appropriate promises.

Baptism is normally administered at Sunday worship in front of the congregation. This emphasises the nature of the sacrament as incorporation into the body of Christ and the life of the Church. There is a little more flexibility in the case of genuine emergencies, normally in a hospital situation.

For parents who feel they cannot make the promises of baptism we offer a thanksgiving and blessing of a child. The blessing ceremony takes place at morning worship following the same pattern as that for Baptism, except the wording and promises are different, and no water is used. Nothing is required of the parents in either commitment or belief.