Baptisms

We are delighted to welcome both children and adults to Christian baptism.

Baptisms of children are held in the main Sunday meetings. They are a way to celebrate a child’s birth, thank God for them and commit as parents to raise the child in the Christian faith.  We want to support parents as they bring up their children to follow Jesus and we invite you to talk to us about the kind of baptism service you would like for your child.

You are never too old to take the step of baptism!  It symbolises the new life that Christians enter into through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and it is a powerful statement of faith and commitment. If you think the time is right for you to get baptised, we would love to talk it through with you. Please contact us for more information.

 

Thanksgiving and Baptism of Children

We’re delighted you’re thinking of baptism for your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. At baptism, you promise to raise your child to know God loves them and to help them to follow Jesus as a member of the Church.

In baptism, you as parents are thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church’s support. Christians believe that baptism marks a highly important moment in our lives; through the water of baptism, we are joined to Jesus in a unique way, so that it marks the beginning of an eternity of friendship with him. Baptism is sometimes called by an old English word, Christening. Baptism and Christening are the same thing, and this old English word reminds us that it is about being made one with Jesus Christ.

Baptisms usually take place during the main Sunday morning service .  At Baptism, we each become members of the local and worldwide family of the church and it is therefore important that church members are there to welcome their new brother or sister.

When you bring your child for baptism, you are asked to declare publicly on behalf of your child that you believe in God and that you will bring your child up to follow Jesus. 

You should have at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child’s spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. Godparents must themselves have been baptised. Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptised as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. It is an important and responsible role, though primarily a spiritual one - it is not the same as being a legal guardian for instance, But you do need to be an adult.

You may feel that Baptism is too big a step to take on behalf of your child just at the moment. If this is the case we do offer thanksgivings for the safe arrival of your precious baby. During this simple service, we thank God for being entrusted with the joy of parenthood and pray that guided by God we may be given the strength to make a good job of it. 

Please click on the link below for some useful and helpful information.

https://churchofenglandchristenings.org/

Please fill in this form if you would like to have a child Baptised. 

 

Baptisms of Believers

During a Believer’s Baptism (or Adult Baptism) service, those being baptised affirm their faith in Jesus Christ.  

Baptism symbolises the new life that Christians enter into through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and it is a powerful statement of faith and commitment.  This is for all who can personally proclaim their faith, be they adults, teenagers or children.   Baptism can be by immersion in a baptism pool or by sprinkling at the font in church.

You can only be baptised once.  However if you were baptised as a baby and wish to declare your faith yourself you can Renew your Baptism Vows. 

You can read more about believer's baptism in the Church of England here

If you think the time is right for you to get baptised or to renew your baptism vows, we would love to talk it through with you.  Please speak to one of the clergy or contact the office.

 

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