Baptisms/Thanksgivings
Infant baptism (Christening)
When it comes to your child’s journey of faith, there are decisions to be made.
We are glad that you are thinking about having your child baptized, and we hope this information will help you make the right choices for your family.
At the birth or adoption of a child, many parents feel that they would like to say 'thank you' to God for a new life and a new addition to the family.
The Service of 'Thanksgiving for the birth of a child' offers an opportunity to do just that. It is a recognition of the gift of your child without the need to make any particular promises about faith and an alternative or the first stage to Baptism.
To have a child baptized is much more than a naming ceremony. It is really saying that you and your family are committed to following Jesus, putting him at the centre of your lives and undertaking to bring your child up to follow Him as a member of the worshipping community.
Your child would be beginning a lifelong journey of faith, with Jesus as their guide and with you and their godparents to help them on their way.
What follows are a number of questions for you to think about. Considered carefully, these will help you decide whether baptism would be right for you and your child.
Considering baptism?
- Am I prepared to the best of my ability to give my child a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ’s Church?
- Will I help the child to be regular in public worship and private prayer, not only through teaching, but by my example?
- Will I pray regularly for my child?
- Will I encourage my child in due time to come to Confirmation and Communion?
- Can I make the promises that will be required of me in the Baptism Service with integrity?
If you think carefully about all the above questions, you will realize that having a child baptized involves you in a commitment to the Christian faith as much as it does the child. Because of this it is essential that a period of preparation precedes the baptism, especially for those who have had very little contact with the Church.
Some parents take this opportunity to reflect on their own Christian faith. We run regular Alpha courses each autumn where small groups can talk about faith and ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere.
Who can be baptised in our church?
Providing you live within our parish we can begin to talk about what happens next. If you live outside the parish, things are not so straightforward. Please contact our Vicar if you aren't sure.
At least one parent should be baptized.
What happens next?
If you are considering baptism or thanksgiving for your child, please get in touch with us. You will be given a leaflet which describes what to do in more detail and a form to complete. Download the Baptism & Thanksgiving leaflet here.
Thanksgiving or baptism takes place at our All Age Services at 10.00am on the first Sunday of each month. Do feel free to come along and see beforehand.
What about Godparents?
When choosing godparents it is good to ask people who will share your desire to give Christian encouragement.
Three godparents is the most typical number; for a boy, two men and a woman; for a girl, two women and a man. But there is no hard and fast rule about this.
The future
If your child is baptized, in due time, he/she will reach an age when they may publicly claim that belief for themselves in a service of Confirmation. Therefore the promises you will make for your child at baptism must have some meaning for you, and you will understand that acting upon those promises will entail a regular attendance at Church as an encouragement and example for your child. Please click here see the activities and events we have for youth and children at our our Church.
Adult baptism
It is a joy to us when adults wish to be baptized to demonstrate their commitment to Christ. In this instance there is an opportunity for it to take place either by sprinkling or total immersion.