Baptisms

Baptism

We are glad to be able to offer services at St Mary's for parents who are celebrating the arrival of a baby into their family!
The service of Baptism is when the baby/child is sprinkled with water at the font. Parents make statements about their faith in Jesus Christ, and make promises about giving their child a Christian upbringing at home and in church.

The baptism - or christening as it is sometimes called……….marks the beginning of the Christian journey for a baby/child, and they are welcomed into the Christian faith, which we hope they will come to experience for themselves as they grow up.

We feel that it is very important……. that parents realize what they will be saying in the service, and have thought through what it means and how they are going to help their child along the Christian path. Godparents support them in a similar commitment. The person who visits you to talk about your child’s baptism will go through the service with you and help you to think about the commitment you are making and what it means. They will also give you a booklet with lots of ideas about how you can help your child as they grow, to understand more about God and his love for them.

Baptism Preparation

As we do not currently have a Vicar, after your initial enquiry someone will contact you and arrange to meet with you to go through all the details. Following this they will then arrange a further meeting for preparation for the baptism service and give you opportunity to ask any questions that you have.

Please phone Angela Davidge on 07510 211944

Top 10 facts about Christenings

The Church of England carries out more than 10,000 christenings per month each year for babies and infants.

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about getting your baby or child christened.

1. What is the difference between a baptism and a christening?

There is no difference between a christening service and a baptism service.

2. What is baptism?

“Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love.”

3. What happens in the service?

Christenings are services replete with symbols for new life. At your baby’s christening water will be blessed and used to pour on the baby’s head. The baby will be signed with the cross, a special oil may be used for this, and a candle may be given. Godparents and parents will make promises on behalf of the baby, and prayers will be offered for the baby and the family. There may also be readings and hymns, which you may be able to choose.

4. Does a christening give my baby a name?

No. Your baby’s name is given when you register the birth.

5. Who is allowed to have a christening service?

The Church of England welcomes all babies, children and families – whatever shape that family takes.

6. How much does a christening service cost?

The good news is that a christening service is free.

7. Where can I hold the christening?

You can have your baby christened at your local parish church. If you want to have the christening at a different church, for example, where you grew up or where you were married, you will need to talk to the vicar at that church.

8. When can I have a christening?

You can have your baby or child christened at any age.

9. What about godparents?

The involvement of godparents can be one of the most joyful parts of the christening. Godparents must be baptised themselves and old enough to make some serious promises on behalf of the child.

10. How do I arrange a christening?

Simply contact Angela Davidge on 07510 211944

Your baby and the Church of England

The Church of England website has some useful web pages to help families wondering what to do about baptism/christening.

https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/christenings

“For a lot of families having a baby is such an overwhelming thing that they want in some way to say thank you and also to have a real sense of blessing for their child.” So says the Revd Dr Sandra Millar, Head of Projects and Developments for the Archbishops’ Council.
She goes on: “So coming to talk to the Church, to find out the best way to do that and whether having a child baptised at a christening is the right thing for them, is really helpful to parents.”

With roughly 2200 children a week being baptised, and thousands more children encountering church life through other ways, the Church of England warmly welcomes children into the world-wide family of God.