Baptisms
Firstly, congratulations on your decision to seek baptism. Hopefully the following information will help you!
You may be thinking about baptism for your child or you may be a teenager or adult thinking about baptism for yourself. Either way, we want to offer you our support and encouragement. Baptism is a very special and happy occasion but it is more than a reason for a celebration party and it is not a naming service! It is a service of promises and Christian commitment. Those baptised (or their parents and godparents in the case of a child) should have an initial understanding of what baptism means which, nurtured and supported by parents, godparents and the Church, should enable growth in the Christian faith. It is about beginning a journey of faith that will hopefully lead to those baptised being able to confirm for themselves what is often chosen for them in baptism.
Adult Baptism and Confirmation
From the beginning baptism has been the official mark of entry into the Christian Church. When those old enough to answer for themselves as children or adults come forward for adult baptism it can be an exciting and very moving public declaration of faith. As well as baptising children by sprinkling we have enjoyed some wonderful children and adult baptisms by full immersion at Christ Church and other local churches, and some memorable Confirmations services.
Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication
If the commitment required for baptism asks more of you than you feel you can honestly give, it is possible to arrange instead a simple service of thanksgiving for the birth of a child. This service simply thanks God for the wonderful gift of a child, and asks for God's help and blessing in the responsible task of parenting. It also leaves open the possibility of baptism later.
Baptisms take place on a Sunday, often in the 10am Family service on the first Sunday of each month and occasionally at other times for Church or family reasons.
We encourage parents to visit the Church on one or more Sundays before the baptism is to take place and will arrange a preparation evening to help them with the vows and promises. In addition we highly recommend the Alpha Course as a way of exploring the basics of the Christian faith.
For enquiries about baptism please contact the Church Office.