Orthodox sponsors for an adult convert?

[Maria Murray]

For those of you who converted to Orthodoxy, how did you choose your sponsor(s)? Is it someone who is in some way spiritually responsible for you? (like a godparent for a baptized child?) What are his/her responsibilities? Is this person supposed to be someone like a guide, someone to look up to? How should one treat his sponsor? Is it someone older, someone from your church? What should one do if no one comes to mind as an appropriate candidate?

Thank you so much for helping with this puzzling topic.

[Herman Blaydoe]

There is some good general information available here:

http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/liturgics/abramtsov_sponsors_baptism.htm

http://www.roca.org/OA/111/111m.htm

http://www.orthodoxconvert.info/Q-A.php?c=Piety-About%20Being%20a%20Godparent

At any rate, this is certainly a good topic for discussion with the priest who will be performing the baptism.

Hope this helps.

Your servant,
Herman

[Maria Murray]

Dear Herman,
Greetings from a fellow ACROD person! Thank you for looking into this and for the links. I have carefully read this info as well as some similar things on the subject. Forgive me because I got carried away in the asking of these questions... I was wondering about the practical application of these guidelines, perhaps this is too personal. For example, I wondered how others have selected a sponsor - was it someone they knew for a long time etc. And also, most information I read talked about baptism, should we assume the guidelines would be the same if only chrismation is to be performed?

[Mary]

For those of you who converted to Orthodoxy, how did you choose your sponsor(s)? Is it someone who is in some way spiritually responsible for you? (like a godparent for a baptized child?) What are his/her responsibilities? Is this person supposed to be someone like a guide, someone to look up to? How should one treat his sponsor? Is it someone older, someone from your church? What should one do if no one comes to mind as an appropriate candidate?

Thank you so much for helping with this puzzling topic.

Hi Maria...

We had to choose 4 sponsors. Each seemed to be different. For me, I chose the first lady who had welcomed us to the church. She's a nice motherly Greek lady and I really liked her. For our son we chose a long time friend of my husband's who had converted years before us. For my daughter, I chose our choir director, because my little girl likes to sing and I'm hoping she'll be spending lots of time with her Godmother eventually. For my husband, it was sort of complicated, but I'm not sure now what it was that complicated it?

The only strict guideline we were given was that the sponsor should be orthodox. Our priest also wanted our sponsors to be present at our baptism, but I've heard that in some parishes, 'substitutes' are allowed to stand in place of the absent sponsor, so I don't think the presence of the sponsor is such a big deal.

Lets see - neither my husband's or my sponsors are responsible for us in any way. I suppose they could be, if they're the type of folks who could be spiritual guides as well. We're also pretty much responsible for our kids. My son who is 8, has a good relationship with his godfather, and I'm hoping their relationship will continue to strengthen as he gets into his I-need-someone-other-than-my-parents-to-talk-to stage. My daughter is 5 and as yet, hasn't started developing too many bonds outside of family.

Ah - I just re-read your questions and remembered the 'complication' regarding choosing a sponsor for my husband... it was because of your last question - no one came to mind as an appropriate candidate! =) There were more women than men to choose from. And then, there was the 'complication' of who could be there on the day of the baptism. Oh yeah - that brings to mind the other guideline we had - women choose women sponsors and men choose men. I don't think it matters how much older than you they are. But I'm sure it helps if you look up to them...

I hope I've answered some of your questions! =)

In Christ,
Mary.

[Father David Moser]

We had to choose 4 sponsors. ...
The only strict guideline we were given was that the sponsor should be orthodox. Our priest also wanted our sponsors to be present at our baptism, but I've heard that in some parishes, 'substitutes' are allowed to stand in place of the absent sponsor, so I don't think the presence of the sponsor is such a big deal. ... the other guideline we had - women choose women sponsors and men choose men.


According to the canons (at least as far as I have been able to find anywhere) only one sponsor is required - and that person must be of the same gender. It is important to remember that baptism creates a "kinship" that is equivalent to blood and so you must have a care in choosing a sponsor (especially when there are children involved) since a person cannot marry their sponsor, or their sponsor's children nor can their children marry their sponsor's children. (just as you could not marry a parent, nor could you marry a sibling, nor could your children marry their aunts uncles or cousins). So a man could not act as sponsor for a woman he wanted to marry later (for example). Siblings can be sponsors for one another, as can other blood relatives (grandparents etc).

I have, in the past permitted "absentee" sponsors, however, there must be a real live person there acting as sponsor at the baptism. In this case there would be two sponsors (the one present and the one absent).

Fr David Moser

[Robert Hegwood]

My sponsors were chosen for me, one male (may God give rest) and one female. They were less my sources for theology than for the pragmatics of how to live as an Orthodox Christian. My godmother especially showed me a number of little habits of piety. My godfather helped me more in filling in the gaps of prayer rules and suggested reading. And I try to do both these things for my godchildren...and the nearer and younger ones are regaled are numerous little old monk stories taken from my readings.

I also stood in as a "surrogate" godparent when we had one in our Church "revert" to the Orthodox faith who had been baptized Orthodox but raised baptist and whose original sponsor was back in Greece. Our bishop gave special permission for him to be crismated along with all the other catechumens since he had been long outside the fold...and to this day I "function" in his life like a godparent even if I'm not one technically.

Here's a question though...are people with the same Godparent allowed to marry? I would not tend to think so, but I am not sure...for example if on one occasion I was godparent to a baby boy and a few years later also to a baby girl, when those children grew up, if they took an interest in each other would marriage between them be prohibited?

[Father David Moser]

Here's a question though...are people with the same Godparent allowed to marry? I would not tend to think so, but I am not sure...for example if on one occasion I was godparent to a baby boy and a few years later also to a baby girl, when those children grew up, if they took an interest in each other would marriage between them be prohibited?

Technially, no, they would not be allowed to marry (no more than you would be allowed to marry your own sibling). Practically - due to the difficult nature of the Church in the secular world these days - such marriages are sometimes permitted with the blessing of the ruling hierarch.

Fr David Moser

[Sunny]

Dear Father David, bless,
Father, you mentioned if I understood correctly, that grandparents can sponsor their grandchildren? My children and grandchildren may soon be converting and this is an important question to me.

My own sponsor at my baptism (3 years ago) chose to not have anything to do with me after my baptism day and this has been a great sorrow to me.
I worry about my family getting someone last minute as I did who later abandons them. Do you know if all jurisdictions allow grandparents to be sponsors? And would that be just for grandchildren or for adult children as well?

Thankyou for your helpful information,
Sunny

[Father David Moser]

I know of no reason why grandparents cannot also be godparents. In the situation you mention here you need to be aware that you yourself could not be godparent to your own children so that would be a limitation. Its nice when you have godparents who stay involved, but it is not necessarily the usual course for adult converts. My godparents are now both dead and I had no contact with my godmother for the last 10 years or so of her life (in fact I only found out that she had died by accident through a series of internet connections.) I'm sorry that there is some feeling of abandonment between you and your godmother however what you describe is not unusual for adult converts. I have always prayed for my godparents - and continue to do so - even though we didn't have a lot to do with one another for years and years.

I do know how that kind of abandonment feels (I still feel anger about having been abruptly abandoned by my spiritual father). The only recourse is to make the decision to forgive and then strive to act in accordance with that decision. There may never be a "warm and fuzzy" feeling or a close friendship or even trust with that person - but forgiveness is a choice, a choice to let go of the offense and regard it as in the past and no longer of any effect. Make the choice and every day, every time you have a thought about the person, every time you encounter that person - act on that choice - and your choice will be made real in your life by your actions. (Oh and never forget that God's grace acts in us to give our choice, the action of the will, substance - so you aren't in it all on the strength of *your own* will)

As far as your children and grandchildren are concerned - trust the priest who will baptize them to help choose godparents for them. He knows his parish, he knows who is available and appropriate. If you have concerns, then let him know so that he can make sure that those concerns are addressed in his selection of godparents. We are used to making our own choices about such things as godparents and baptismal names, but in fact it is actually the priest's choice, not yours. Most priests will usually go along with what you or the parents want, however, in the end it is his choice - so tell him your concerns and let him make the choice. That is best in the end.

Fr David Moser

[Sunny]

Dear Father David, bless,

This brings up another interesting point, for me at least. I asked about the godparent rule because my priest will also be the priest for our family members who are converting. My priest was very busy and my efforts to find someone willing to be my sponsor failed and so he asked someone the night before my baptism. It was his choice and she turned out to not really want the role I guess. I actually don't have any bad feelings towards her and do pray for her. I see her lack of involvement as being somehow under the providence of God for my life and though I don't understand it, I guess I don't need to.

You say to leave things to the priest, but I only found out two days before my baptism what I needed to wear and bring with me as well. He kept putting me off when I asked a few weeks beforehand and then forgot to get back to me.

For his own reasons, our priest likes to leave things until the very last minute and leave things to his parishioners including their saint name choices as well. My concern for my family members is more helping them to have everything ready (details) more than trying to take some authority that is not mine.

Your information was very helpful and I thank you for taking the time to write back.

Sunny

[Father David Moser]

My concern for my family members is more helping them to have everything ready (details) more than trying to take some authority that is not mine.

That was my understanding all along. I think your desire to help your family get everything ready is quite commendable - something we should all be willing to do for one another. I'm sure that your own experience will serve as guide for you, however, if you have particular questions, please ask (as there seems to be no end of willingness to give pretty good advice in the group).

Fr David Moser

[Mary]

(as there seems to be no end of willingness to give pretty good advice in the group).

Fr David Moser

Bless Father!

I can't quite figure out if you mean that as a compliment or otherwise? =)

Mary

[Father David Moser]

I can't quite figure out if you mean that as a compliment or otherwise? =)


Yeah, I was afraid of that when I wrote it. It was indeed a positive statement meaning that there is an abundance of caring people here in the community who are always ready to share their knowledge and experience to help others. Is that better?

Fr David Moser

[Mary]

Yeah, I was afraid of that when I wrote it. It was indeed a positive statement meaning that there is an abundance of caring people here in the community who are always ready to share their knowledge and experience to help others. Is that better?

Fr David Moser

Father David,

I knew what you meant. I was just being silly. =) I was thinking of a cousin of mine who liked to share his wealth of wisdom ALL the time, even where there weren't any problems, he'd assume there were and proceed to tell us how it should be solved. I wrote him a nasty note that made him cry. That was when I was young and foolish. Now I'm old and foolish, and realize that I'm just as ready as he is to solve everyone's problems. There are countless times when it would be wiser to hold my tongue, but I have trouble figuring out when to be silent.

Mary.

[Xenia Rose]

For those of you who converted to Orthodoxy, how did you choose your sponsor(s)? Is it someone who is in some way spiritually responsible for you? (like a godparent for a baptized child?) What are his/her responsibilities? Is this person supposed to be someone like a guide, someone to look up to? How should one treat his sponsor? Is it someone older, someone from your church? What should one do if no one comes to mind as an appropriate candidate?

Thank you so much for helping with this puzzling topic.

When I came into the church it was with 11 other people (only two of which were children of a couple who was coming in as well). So, finding a sponsor in my parish was not easy as we all had to have our own. In the end, the Priest had one person be the sponsor for a couple. But my husband and I are not living together so I had to have a sponsor for just myself.

I didn't know who was already sponsoring so I had to have my Priest help me. He chose someone who I felt was very very nice but who I didn't feel I knew very well. I never would have thought to ask her. But she has been wonderful! She takes this role very seriously. If I miss a service or two she checks with me that all is OK. If I ever have a question about something (usually those little traditions specific to our parish) she is always willing to answer if she can. She tells me that every day she says a prayer for me and anyone else that she is the sponsor too.

I don't know if this practice is common everywhere, but with rare exceptions the sponsor is the same gender as the adult convert. (We had the exception the one year I came in but it was also the largest group of converts our parish had ever had, usually one three or four come in a year.)

[Maria Murray]

Thank you all for the information. We thought about the points made here and spoke with the priest; eventually my husband asked a man in the parish who turned out to be a really good candidate even though we didn't really know him when we asked. He said he was shocked and honored to be someone's sponsor. I personally have never been worthy of becoming a godparent to anyone, but I imagine it would be a huge responsibility!

[Nina]

I personally have never been worthy of becoming a godparent to anyone, but I imagine it would be a huge responsibility!

Christ is Risen!

Yes, you guessed it right dear Maria! It is an immense responsibility to be a godparent, and I have read that we would give account to God for our godchildren.

We (as godparents) need to be very involved in all aspects of their lives and help them spiritually and in every other sense, pray for them as they are our children etc.

I have two godchildren. Being overseas, I feel like I have abandoned them, therefore a lot of guilt. For one of them is easy because she was a schoolmate of mine (therefore an adult) and I trust her judgment more and it is easier to have spiritual distance-learning sessions. :) Although, being peers, I feel deficient in teaching her.

However the other one is a child. He was (literally) a gift from Christ and Panaghia to his family and a miracle. My mother was very involved in the whole story, and she was supposed to be his godmother, but a turn of events, placed me in that role, loaded with responsibility.

While it is a worthy and very gratifying mission, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I say this because I moved and the baby while growing started identifying church with me because the rest of his family is non-Christian. They decided to baptize the baby after a dream to his mother, where Panaghia appeared and ordered her to keep the promise she made while praying in church (she went with my mom) and baptize him. Now my godchild says: "Mommy are we going to Nina's home?" And he does not mean my parents' place, but the church because he starts saying there "Where is Nina?".

Being so far away and having him there basically alone (in the spiritual sense) it breaks my heart... Thank God he has a very nice family! I try to keep in touch as much as possible with both of my godchildren and stay involved, but simultaneously, I feel very guilty for not being there for them. However, if God allowed this for me and made me worthy of it, He knew what He was doing-or at least this is how I try to calm my conscience because the responsibility of a godparent, as you say, is indeed an enormous one.

[Trudy]

Christ is Risen!
Now my godchild says: "Mommy are we going to Nina's home?" And he does not mean my parents' place, but the church because he starts saying there "Where is Nina?".

I try to keep in touch as much as possible with both of my godchildren and stay involved, but simultaneously, I feel very guilty for not being there for them.

Ah, but Nina...of course he looks for you there! What a joyous blessing! Use this opportunity to teach your Godson that though he cannot see you, you are worshipping God at the same time as he but in a different city. This is the perfect opportunity to teach him about the Saints! He cannot see them but they are present, just like the Angels, all the Heavenly Hosts, and especially his Guardian Angel. This is what Communion means!

He must love you very much; and you love him. It comes through in your words.

Love in Christ,
Athanasia (Trudy)

[Nina]

Use this opportunity to teach your Godson that though he cannot see you, you are worshipping God at the same time as he but in a different city. This is the perfect opportunity to teach him about the Saints! He cannot see them but they are present, just like the Angels, all the Heavenly Hosts, and especially his Guardian Angel. This is what Communion means!
Love in Christ,
Athanasia (Trudy)

Dearest Athanasia,

I am indebted to you for this precious revelation, that my clouded mind never perceived! I will think of you when my Godson hears your wonderful analogy. :) Thank you!!!

[Robert Crosby]

I hope this question hasn't already been answered elsewhere but I didn't see it in any other threads and it goes along with the questions being asked here. My wife and I have been attending a local parish that we are both in love with. Neither of us are Orthodox yet but are wanting to start the process. Our priest told us about the need to find a sponsor among other things but I've been a little confused about what this entails exactly. We've been making friends and getting to know people better so I don't anticipate a problem with this but I was wondering if it's necessary for your sponsor to be a member of your parish or if they can be an Orthodox Christian who attends elsewhere. The reason I ask is because a very good friend of mine (the person who first introduced me to Orthodoxy) who I deeply love and admire is the person I would most want to be my sponsor but we currently live in different cities. He would be present for the baptism and is moving to Portland, Oregon where I live next year and will probably start attending the parish we attend when he does anyway. Is there any reason why he wouldn't be able to be my sponsor? I'll ask my priest when I'm able to meet with him next but some insight would be helpful in the meantime.

[Herman Blaydoe]

The use of godparents or "sponsors" in Baptism dates back to the days of the early Church when Christians were severely persecuted. Parents were often massacred during these persecutions. Thus sponsors were provided to instruct the children in the Christian faith in the event the parents were martyred. The godparent promises to see to it that the child is raised and educated in the Faith. The sponsor also "speaks" for the child.

I suppose having a sponsor for adult baptisms is not a bad idea, but I honestly have to wonder about the requirement. Adults can speak for themselves, they don't need a sponsor to do so. In the early Church the Apostles often baptised thousands at a time, I don't think they had sponsors. I honestly believe we require sponsors because we simply are not used to having adult baptisms! Baptisms "require" sponsors because for so long all we did was infant baptisms (which require a sponsor) and that has simply become the tradition!

As it is, there should be at least one godparent who is the same sex as the person to be baptized. That godparent needs to be a member "in good standing" of the Orthodox Church. I do not know of any requirement that the person has to be a member of a specific parish, but he/she should be made known to the priest. I understand that in some parishes the priest "assigns" the sponsor. I do not think your priest will have a problem with your friend being the sponsor as long as he is a member in good standing of a recognized Orthodox parish.

Herman

[Mary]

The reason I ask is because a very good friend of mine (the person who first introduced me to Orthodoxy) who I deeply love and admire is the person I would most want to be my sponsor but we currently live in different cities. He would be present for the baptism and is moving to Portland, Oregon where I live next year and will probably start attending the parish we attend when he does anyway. Is there any reason why he wouldn't be able to be my sponsor? I'll ask my priest when I'm able to meet with him next but some insight would be helpful in the meantime.

Dear Mr Crosby,

I am so thrilled you've found your way Home! How exciting!! So glad to have you here on Monachos as well.

Your friend who introduced you to Orthodoxy, is your 'sponsor' already! What I mean is... he should be your first, most natural choice. Of all the orthodox people that I've come to know, the one I love the most is the friend who introduced me to Orthodoxy. And he is my son's Godfather. He would've been my husband's except that he couldn't be here for our baptisms.

But your friend won't be able to be sponsor for both of you. So you'll still have to find at least one other person.

in Christ,
Mary.

[Olga]

I suppose having a sponsor for adult baptisms is not a bad idea, but I honestly have to wonder about the requirement. Adults can speak for themselves, they don't need a sponsor to do so.

Mass baptisms without sponsors for each individual were indeed frequently done in the early days of the Church, particularly where persecution was the order of the day. However to suggest a sponsor for an adult convert is optional is a diminution of the purpose of a sponsor. An adult may be capable of reciting the Creed and renouncing Satan for himself during his own baptism, unlike a child or infant, but to imply that a sponsor's function is simply as a witness to a baptism is rather superficial. An adult convert is as much in need of spiritual guidance and support from his Godparent as is a child. If anything, it is often more of a challenge to be Godparent to an adult convert if the convert has come from a strong religious background. A child or infant does not have the "baggage" of a religious "past".

The sponsor(s) are also prayed for during the baptism service itself: at the prayer which precedes the tonsure of the newly-baptised, and at the Litany of Supplication following the tonsure. It must also be noted that the text of the baptismal service is the same, whether an infant or adult is being baptised.

[Mary]

An adult convert is as much in need of spiritual guidance and support from his Godparent as is a child. If anything, it is often more of a challenge to be Godparent to an adult convert if the convert has come from a strong religious background. A child or infant does not have the "baggage" of a religious "past".


While I fully agree with you that an adult convert is in much need of spiritual guidance, especially because of all the baggage we bring with us, it'll be interesting to find out how many converts actually receive such input from their sponsors. I don't. I don't know if it's because I don't seek her out, or not. We're friends. But whenever I have a problem, the first person I go to, is my friend who answered all my questions in the first place... I don't know if that's right or wrong. I just seem to follow my heart on such things. I never really expected any kind of spiritual guidance from my sponsor either. So... I've no idea if she might've been available, if I'd sought her out.

Mary

[Father David Moser]

Let me quote Bishop Alexander's instrction regarding the duties of Godparents. Note that he considers godparents to be needed whether the newly baptized is a child or an adult.

Fr David Moser



About Godparents.

The godparents of the newly baptized child or adult act as his or her spiritual parents. They are given the responsibility for their charge’s spiritual development. They pray for him or her, and assist with advice or help during difficult periods of his or her life. In other words, to be a godparent is not only an honor, it is a great responsibility. During baptism, it is usual to have two godparents, a godfather and a godmother, even though one would suffice. They must be pious Orthodox, as well as church-going individuals, so that they can exert a good influence on their godchild. Normally, they provide a cross to be worn by the newly baptized.

[Jonathan Michael]

I don't often contact with my sponsor, but this is partly to do with our respective locations. He was chosen for me by my parish priest. He is a convert who has not been Orthodox for much longer than myself, but he is physically older (and therefore wiser than me) so I certainly think he is a suitable man for the job. His wife and children (his children being a little older than me) are not Orthodox which I think also gives us an affinity as no one in my family is Orthodox either.

I'm back in England for a couple of weeks now, so I will see him at the Divine Liturgy at Sheffield Cathedrel tomorrow and I will be very happy to catch up with him.

[Mary]

The godparents of the newly baptized child or adult act as his or her spiritual parents. They are given the responsibility for their charge’s spiritual development. They pray for him or her, and assist with advice or help during difficult periods of his or her life. In other words, to be a godparent is not only an honor, it is a great responsibility.

Hmmm.... That was sort of my understanding... that godparents are something like real parents only spiritual in nature. So, whenever I have difficulties, should I seek out my godmother first, even though she had nothing to do with my becoming orthodox? Is it ok to let my heart be the judge of whom to go to for advice and help, or should I override my comfort factor and go to her just because of who she is, and get her involved in the deeper zones of my life? She's old enough to be my real mother, and she's a godly person. I'll bet she's got tons of experience with all kinds of things, but I've never been tempted to tap into it.

I dunno. Sometimes I feel like that little bird that fell out of it's nest and its goes in search of it's mother, asking every creature that comes by, "Are you my mother?" =)

But then again, more than a mother, I'm in search of a father. Except when I'm all full of peace and joy, like right now, in which case, I'm not in search of anyone. =)

in Christ,
Mary.

[Jim McQuiggin]

When I was received by chrismation into the Orthodox Church a few years ago, I was sponsored by an older life-long Orthodox man with whom I had built up a friendship. Although the need for someone to speak for me certainly wasn't there - and in fact, I probably had a greater head knowledge of Orthodoxy than he because of my diligence in learning about the Faith - I do appreciate his greater knowledge of the ordinary life of an Orthodox person. It was also something that cemented our friendship and makes me feel truly a part of the Church.

Jim

[Evangelia P.]

Hello,
I am interested to hear feedback around advice on finding godparents. My fiancee is going to become Greek Orthodox. We are having some trouble finding godparents as my Greek family do not live close to us. We had thought prehaps his brother in law, who is catholic could be the godparent. I will go and talk to my own priest about this and I had read varying opinions on the web. However, I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this?
Kind regards, Evangelia.

[Father David Moser]

Evangelia,

Welcome to monachos - I hope that you will take some time to introduce yourself on the "Introduction of new members" topic. I moved your query about baptism to this thread that deals with your question - I encourage you to read the previous posts on the topic. You may also wish to make use of the "search" feature to find other threads. You could search for "baptism" and "godparents" and get quite a few hits. Among those are these two additional topics on Godparents (http://www.monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3057) and Non-Orthodox Godparents (http://www.monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2875). Take some time to look around for more as the topic of godparents tends to show up in a number of other discussions.

Fr David Moser

[Michael Stickles]

My wife, my sons and I became Orthodox in an OCA parish, and only my sons needed to have godparents to sponsor them. My wife and I don't have godparents. After scanning back through this thread, I wonder how common (or uncommon) that is for adult converts.

In Christ,
Michael

[Rick H.]

After scanning back through this thread, I wonder how common (or uncommon) that is for adult converts.



Dear Mike,

This is a good question.

In the Greek Orthodox Church my two adult daughters had "God parents" assigned; while, my wife and I had "sponsors" chosen. I'm not really sure what the difference is now that you mention it.

In Christ,
Rick

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

In these services to my knowledge there is no mention of any such thing as a 'godparent'. Instead for example in the service for the reception of catechumens there is mention of a 'sponsor' in case the person being received cannot speak for themselves (in present circumstances this means a child).

It should also be pointed out that in ancient practice those being enrolled as catechumens also had a sponsor vouch for them.

Godparents then seem to be a later addition to these services. However much it is assumed that such are a natural part of the reception into the Church, godparents aren't actually mentioned in the rubrics for these services.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Michael Stickles]

In the Greek Orthodox Church my two adult daughters had "God parents" assigned; while, my wife and I had "sponsors" chosen. I'm not really sure what the difference is now that you mention it.

I had just assumed "sponsor" and "godparent" were effectively the same thing, at least for kids (not sure now if that's true, but it's what I'd assumed). So, when I said my wife and I don't have godparents, that also means we don't have sponsors. We were told they weren't needed for adult converts.

In Christ,
Michael