BAPTISMS

Christening, also known as a Baptism, marks the start of someone’s life as a member of the Church. By bringing a child to Church for a Christening as parents and Godparents you are showing that you would like to turn to God and bring your child up in the Christian faith. At this service you and the Godparents will be asked to confirm your decision to do this. If you would like to say thank you to God for your child, but do not feel able to make these commitments, you may consider asking for a Thanksgiving Service.

A Thanksgiving Service is to say thank you to God for the gift of a child. In it you come into God’s presence to acknowledge his gift to you and to ask his blessing. Instead of Godparents, the child has supporting friends or family members who stand alongside the parents.

Both a Christening and a Thanksgiving usually happen during a normal Sunday service or at a later time on a Sunday, typically 12:30pm or 1:00pm. However, it is always a public service and is open to anyone to attend. Members of the Church congregation are encouraged to attend so that you as a family are supported by God’s people. This is especially important for a Christening because the child is joining the Church.

Everyone who lives in a parish has the right to be baptised at their parish Church and you can be Baptised at any age. When we recieve your enquiry we will send you a form to complete and arrange for the clergy doing your service and one of our Baptism visitors to visit your home. At this visit we begin to get to know you, discuss the meaning of Baptism and Thanksgiving . We will leave you a booklet to read and keep in contact with you.

If you would like to arrange a baptism please fill in the enquiry form below or telephone 01482 845323 with your enquiries about Christenings or Thanksgiving Services.