Baptism for babies and children takes place in a service often called a Christening. In this service parents thank God for his gift of life, make a decision to start their child on a journey of faith and Godparents promise help and support. The church also promises to welcome the child and to pray for the family. We welcome all babies, children and families for baptisms – whatever shape that family takes. You don’t have to be married to ask for a baptism for your child. You don’t have to have been a regular churchgoer – as parents, you don’t even have to have been baptised yourselves. I hope this step-by-step guide will be useful.
Clergy consultation
The first thing to do is to make an appointment for the Rector to visit. I will come to meet you, and talk to you about what a baptism means. I will explain the service and you will have a chance to ask any questions.
Choosing Godparents
Godparents are some of the most important people at the service. Becoming a Godparent doesn’t mean that they have a legal responsibility, so do think about making a will in case anything should happen to you. Godparents should be people who will be there for your child and help them think about the bigger questions in life – questions of love, hope and faith. Each child should have at least three Godparents, two of the same sex and at least one of the opposite sex. Parents may be godparents for their own children, providing they have at least one other godparent. Godparents must be baptized themselves and old enough to make some serious promises on behalf of the child.
Making decisions and promises
When you bring your child for Baptism, you will be 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 will be asked to answer, on your child’s behalf, that you have decided to turn away from everything which is evil or sinful and instead to turn towards Christ.
The service
This will be held as part of the regular Sunday morning service, you and all your friends and relatives will be welcome, there will be some seats reserved for you. I will ask you to bring your child/children to the front along with the Godparents. You will have a special service sheet which you will need to bring with you so you can make your promises. Then we will move to the font, where the water will be blessed and poured on the baby’s head – this is the baptism of your baby (the word ‘baptism’ means ‘to be immersed in water’). The baby will be signed with the cross and I will use special oil for this. I will give you a candle as a sign of the light of Christ; some families choose to light this each Christmas or anniversary of the service. The congregation will pray for you and your baby, to welcome you into God’s family, and I will give you, and the Godparents, baptism certificates.
Symbols and actions used during the service
- The sign of the cross – This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to stand up for their faith in him.
- Water – Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. In baptism it is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with God.
- The welcome – The church congregation will say some formal words of welcome to acknowledge that you child has joined the Church and to show how pleased they are to have you among them.
After the service
We serve coffee/tea and biscuits after the service and you are welcome to stay and meet other members of our services.
Fees
You may be having a family celebration after the service which you may have to pay for but the good news is that the church service and the baptism is free!
Thanksgiving
Some parents might want to celebrate the gift of a child in a different way without the commitment that baptism involves. During the Thanksgiving service parents and families give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and everyone prays for family life. It can take place in church with the congregation, or with just family and friends gathered, or elsewhere such as home, or even in hospital. The child will be blessed and prayed for, and supporting friends will promise to support the parents in bringing up their baby.