Here are some additional details for you to consider for your baptism at Sausalito Presbyterian Church.
Godparents are a part of one's extended family. Ideally, they serve the function that was formerly held by grandparents or a trusted aunt or uncle, when families were living near one another. With our transient way of living, a trusted, older friend can be one of the most stabilizing forces in one's life.
The Session is the term used by Presbyterians to identify the board of directors of each local parish. The members (elders) are responsible for every activity of the church. Following your consultation with me, I will recommend approval. The vote, which will no doubt be unanimous, will be recorded in our minutes and will become a part of our permanent records.
We encourage both audio and videotaping. However, the church has audiotape equipment only. If you wish the ceremony recorded, please bring a blank cassette with you. Videotaping must be done with available light only and the camera placed or held in one position only. The sanctuary is available for flash photography following the service and, if desired, I will remain available if you wish parts of the ceremony reenacted.
If you do not have a will, there is no better time than now to make one. There are several important reasons for having a will, not the least being that it gives certainty to those who survive your passing. Church records cannot be used as legal documents. Therefore, godparents do not automatically become a child's legal guardian nor do the automatically adopt the child. I suggest that you find two different couples who are willing to take on the responsibility of raising your child should you die. Also, it is thoughtful to carry some life insurance so the adopting family will no be burdened financially. Many stationery stores carry Will Forms. Even better, any reputable lawyer will draw one up for you. I urge you to do this now; you will never regret it.
Within each long marriage there are many mini-marriages. Your marriage began as two individuals; that was one mini-marriage. Having children in the household is a different mini-marriage. When they are grown and leave home, yet another mini-marriage will begin. At the present pint in your marriage, another person has entered your household. For you, it is an infant. But, whether this "other" person is an infant, teenager, adult, relative or stranger, it affects your primary relationship (the primary relationship being husband and wife). The arrival of a child into your household shifts the immediate and long-term attention of every member. Often, conscious awareness of this is all that is needed in order to adjust successfully. However, some couples, not realizing the enormity of this shift, attempt to continue as usual. This never works. Marital difficulty brought about by the arrival of a new child is normal. If you find yourselves having difficulty adjusting, call me or any professional listener or counselor with whom you can speak freely.
Finally, it is my hope that your arrival at this decision will set into motion a series of life-long patterns that will become spiritual habits. It is not unusual or excessive for people to reconfirm their commitment to Christ daily. Each person does this in his own way. Some do so with verbal prayer or reading; some, with meditation. Others do so by consciously choosing to live by the values Christ taught - truth, justice, and mercy - in a way that is more aware than before. As I said in the beginning, Christian baptism is multifaceted. For you, individually, it can be a time to reconfirm your commitment to live in this world as a practitioner of the teaching of Jesus. Call me at (415) 332-3790 when you wish to participate in the consultation.