The Baptism Of Children
03 05 07 - 09:15When parents arrange for the Baptism of their child the Church rejoices! A Baptism is a time of celebration for the parents and family of the child and for the whole Church.
Baptism creates a link between your family and the world-wide family of the Church, so the Church has a responsibility to help you with the spiritual development of your child. This will begin when one of our Church Visitors calls to explain the service and will tell you how we try to welcome parents and their children into the life of the Church.
If you wish your child’s Godparents to be present do please invite them. They may well wish to find out more about what being a Godparent means.
Planning The Baptism
Date and Time of Baptism
Baptisms normally take place on the first or third Sunday of each month at either 12.30pm or 3.00pm. There may be more than one family having a child baptised at a service.Booking the Baptism
Please ring the Vicarage on 720423 to arrange the baptism. We will need to know the following:The child’s full name and date of birth and the parents’ names, address and telephone number. Once it has been booked we will arrange for somebody to visit you to go through the details about two weeks before the service.
Godparents
It is desirable for Godparents to be confirmed but it is a requirement of Canon Law that all Godparents must be baptised. It is customary for boys to have two Godfathers and one Godmother and for girls to have two Godmothers and one Godfather.There is no fee for Baptism
Offerings for the work of the church will be gratefully received and are a normal expression of thanksgiving. A plate will be available near the door for any donations you or your family may care to make.
Guidance For The Baptism Service
Our Church Visitor will probably be present to welcome you when you arrive at church.
Please ask your guests to be in their places five minutes before the service begins. Videos can be used by arrangement with the minister. After the service there will be plenty of opportunity for photographs, so we discourage them during the service.
It is often better to let small children wander round the church during the service rather than trying to restrain them. There is a Children’s Corner to help keep little ones amused.
In Baptism Your Child
Is Marked with the sign of the cross
- as an act of dedication to Jesus Christ
- as a sign that the child now belongs to Jesus Christ through Baptism
- to show the child what it means to follow Christ
“I sign you with the cross, the sign of Christ”
Is Baptised with water
- as a sign of God’s forgiveness and love
- as a sign of God’s life-giving grace
- as a sign of the ‘new birth’ that unites us with Christ and brings us into the family of the Church.
“I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Is Given a lighted candle
- as a sign of God’s promise to guide all who trust in him.
- as a sign of God’s life-giving grace
- as a sign of the present of Jesus Christ with all those who have been baptised
- as a reminder that every baptised Christian must shine as a light in the world.
“Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.”
Is Welcomed into the Family of God’s Church which
- worships God
- teaches the Christian faith
- cares for its members
- serves the world in the name of Christ
“We welcome you into the fellowship of faith.”
Parents And Godparents Promise To Help Those They Bring To Baptism In Three Ways:
Prayer
- praying regularly for the children, their parents and all who will influence them as they grow up- praying for a home that will be ‘a place of love, security and truth.
- praying that the children will grow up to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ
Example
- taking part in the Church’s worship Sunday by Sunday
- seeking to live after the example of Jesus
- seeking forgiveness for our faults and failings
- seeking to learn more about the Christian life
Teaching
- helping the children to know about the life and teaching of Jesus
- helping them to say their prayers
- helping them to prepare for confirmation
- helping them to live Christian lives
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