Information for parents and families:
Why Baptism?
Some things people say …
… to be able to get married in church?
… the done thing in our family?
… good excuse for a party?
… because we are filled with joy and wonder at the gift of this our child?
… my mother is pressurising us!
Have a chat with the Priest about whether Baptism is what you are really seeking.
There must be something more?
God loves us! Christians believe that in Baptism (also known as Christening), the child (or adult) becomes a member of the Christian family and more fully a child of God.
What will happen?
During the service the Parents and Godparents will be asked to make specific promises for themselves and for the child to follow a Christian way of life in the way Jesus shows us in the bible.
They will also promise to bring up the child as a follower of Jesus, and by their example and support to help him/her to learn to pray, come to Church regularly and read the bible.
These promises will be strengthened through the ancient traditional symbols of the Church: the pouring of water; signing with the Cross in special oils blessed by the Bishop; the giving and receiving of a lighted candle. All this is to help us know and accept for ourselves the growing presence and light of Jesus in our lives and world.
When?
During the current vacancy and until a new Vicar is appointed, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered only during the 10:30am service on Sundays.
All families within the parish have a right to use their local church as it is, after all, their parish church. Anyone living outside the parish boundary should contact the churchwardens to discuss their request for a baptism at their selected church.
How do I arrange a Baptism?
If you wish to discuss the process before going further, please feel free to contact the Priest. Alternatively, complete the application form for the church you choose.
Will it cost anything?
No! But, we do encourage you to give a donation to church of something in the region of £60 – using Gift Aid if possible. If a Baptism Certificate is requested, there is a small charge. See application form for the appropriate church.
Why? …
Because we believe it important to respond to God's love for us with generosity from the work of our own hands, by giving of our life in service, our hearts in worship and money from our pocket to help development of ministry in this Parish.
It is important to recognise that it costs a lot of money just to keep the church open, this is currently somewhere in the region of £1,500 per week. As it is a community resource, we have to look to the community to help keep it open. We hope you will recognise our work within the community by responding generously, thereby helping others to share the Hope and Joy of our Faith.
Solidarity in Faith
Godparents:
Godparents are expected to be Confirmed (full) members of a Christian Church, but the Parish Priest has the discretion to allow people to be Godparents who have only been baptised. However, we insist that they must be Baptised and over the age of sixteen. There are no hard and fast rules over numbers, traditionally it was 2 male/1 female for boys and 1 male/2 females for girls - normally these days there are three/four Godparents of your choosing, though we ask you not to have more than six. You don’t have to have any Godparents at all!
And later on!
The Church asks that Parents and Godparents will encourage the child, from the age of around 10½ years old, to make the Baptism promises for themselves by presenting themselves before the Bishop for Confirmation.
Keep this as an exciting opportunity for your child in the future.
Build up to it. Look forward to it!
If you, yourself, have not been baptised, you may wish to consider being Baptised and/or Confirmed as an adult. If so, please speak to the Priest about this to discuss what will be involved.
Why Baptism?
Some things people say …
… to be able to get married in church?
… the done thing in our family?
… good excuse for a party?
… because we are filled with joy and wonder at the gift of this our child?
… my mother is pressurising us!
Have a chat with the Priest about whether Baptism is what you are really seeking.
There must be something more?
God loves us! Christians believe that in Baptism (also known as Christening), the child (or adult) becomes a member of the Christian family and more fully a child of God.
What will happen?
During the service the Parents and Godparents will be asked to make specific promises for themselves and for the child to follow a Christian way of life in the way Jesus shows us in the bible.
They will also promise to bring up the child as a follower of Jesus, and by their example and support to help him/her to learn to pray, come to Church regularly and read the bible.
These promises will be strengthened through the ancient traditional symbols of the Church: the pouring of water; signing with the Cross in special oils blessed by the Bishop; the giving and receiving of a lighted candle. All this is to help us know and accept for ourselves the growing presence and light of Jesus in our lives and world.
When?
During the current vacancy and until a new Vicar is appointed, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered only during the 10:30am service on Sundays.
All families within the parish have a right to use their local church as it is, after all, their parish church. Anyone living outside the parish boundary should contact the churchwardens to discuss their request for a baptism at their selected church.
How do I arrange a Baptism?
If you wish to discuss the process before going further, please feel free to contact the Priest. Alternatively, complete the application form for the church you choose.
Will it cost anything?
No! But, we do encourage you to give a donation to church of something in the region of £60 – using Gift Aid if possible. If a Baptism Certificate is requested, there is a small charge. See application form for the appropriate church.
Why? …
Because we believe it important to respond to God's love for us with generosity from the work of our own hands, by giving of our life in service, our hearts in worship and money from our pocket to help development of ministry in this Parish.
It is important to recognise that it costs a lot of money just to keep the church open, this is currently somewhere in the region of £1,500 per week. As it is a community resource, we have to look to the community to help keep it open. We hope you will recognise our work within the community by responding generously, thereby helping others to share the Hope and Joy of our Faith.
Solidarity in Faith
Godparents:
Godparents are expected to be Confirmed (full) members of a Christian Church, but the Parish Priest has the discretion to allow people to be Godparents who have only been baptised. However, we insist that they must be Baptised and over the age of sixteen. There are no hard and fast rules over numbers, traditionally it was 2 male/1 female for boys and 1 male/2 females for girls - normally these days there are three/four Godparents of your choosing, though we ask you not to have more than six. You don’t have to have any Godparents at all!
And later on!
The Church asks that Parents and Godparents will encourage the child, from the age of around 10½ years old, to make the Baptism promises for themselves by presenting themselves before the Bishop for Confirmation.
Keep this as an exciting opportunity for your child in the future.
Build up to it. Look forward to it!
If you, yourself, have not been baptised, you may wish to consider being Baptised and/or Confirmed as an adult. If so, please speak to the Priest about this to discuss what will be involved.