Baptisms

We're delighted you're thinking about baptism. We believe this is an important step in our Christian faith. It signifies the moment when a person makes a public commitment to follow Jesus Christ as a member of the Church. We invite all those asking for baptism to take part in a preparation course so they can fully appreciate the importance and the blessing baptism can be. 

We also offer a Service of Thanksgiving for those who wish to express their thanks for the birth of their child but who are not yet ready to make a commitment to follow Christ.

For more details of Baptisms and Thanksgiving services, please contact the church office.

What is baptism

In baptism, you 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. For your child, baptism marks the start of a lifelong journey which involves turning away from all that is wrong, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the church, God's family on earth.

What happens during the service?

Baptisms usually take place during our Sunday Morning services. This is so that you can be welcomed by the church. In turn the Church will promise to support and pray for you and your family. We will make sure you know what will happen in the service. Some parts of the service will be for the whole congregation to join in, some will be for you and the godparents.

Making decisions and promises

When you bring your child for baptism you will be asked to make a public declaration 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 wrong and turn towards Christ. The declarations made by you and the child's godparents will be made in front of the church congregation; the church will promise to support you and pray for you and your child.

Symbols and actions used during the service

A number of important symbols and actions will be used during the service itself:

  • The sign of the cross - the vicar will make the sign of the cross on your child's forehead. This is an invisible sign to show that Christians are united with Jesus.
  • Water - the vicar will pour water on your child's head. 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.
  • Anointing - after baptism in water the vicar may anoint him or her with oil. This is a sign of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit.
  • The welcome - the church congregation will welcome you and your child into the Church family.
  • Candles - Jesus is the Light of the World.  We will give you a lighted candle as a reminder of Jesus the light of the world.

The role of godparents

Godparents promise to pray and support your child and to help you to bring up your child to know, to love and to serve Jesus. This is an important role. 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. 

Thanksgiving Service

You may prefer a service of Thanksgiving for your child. In a Thanksgiving Service you thank God for the gift of your child and your child is blessed. If you choose to have a Thanksgiving, you may also have a Baptism service for your child at a later date.