Baptism

A baptism service is a great occasion for celebration as we gather to mark the first of life’s great milestones. Here we give thanks for the birth of a child and pray for them as they receive God’s blessing and become a member of his family, the Church.

Baptism, or Christening as it is often known, is the first step in a lifelong journey of faith, where parents and godparents make important promises that the child will be brought up to know Jesus and to come to church to worship, to pray and to learn about their faith.

Services of baptism usually take place on the first and third Sunday of each month, at 12.15 pm. To book a baptism you will need to contact the Parish Office or fill in the form below to send us your details and we will book a date with you for the service, as well as a date for your baptism preparation session. 

Your baptism preparation session will usually be held the month before the baptism, following our informal 10am Family Service. Here you’ll have the chance to reflect on some of the spiritual aspects of baptism and your important role as parents in the process. We hope you’ll feel welcomed and at home during the service which precedes the session and consider making this part of your monthly routine as your child grows up.

Baptism for older children and adults

When children are old enough to understand something of what is happening in baptism it is important that they are consulted in the decision and are involved in preparation. Here the baptism visitor will take parents and children together through some of the important aspects and symbols of the service. Then, at the baptism service children will need to answer that they wish to be baptised and will often join in with the promises alongside parents and godparents. If a child has reached their teenage years it will be necessary for them to have a more in-depth level of preparation for baptism, perhaps as a part of a course with other candidates.

Older children are usually baptised in our normal baptism services and therefore the booking system is the same, i.e. through the Parish Office.

Baptism is not just for children, though – God’s call is for all, and adults will often want to take the plunge themselves. Baptism as an adult is an important faith decision and needs careful consideration and preparation. Therefore we will usually require an adult candidate to attend a short course to reflect on some of the issues involved.

If you are an adult and are thinking of baptism please contact one of the clergy.