BAPTISM
Baptisms or Christenings. -
Two words for the same thing.
Services are held every month, usually at 11.15 on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Further information is available from the booking secretary, Mrs. Sheila Crawley, on 01665 711196, who can discuss the dates that are available with you.
We encourage all parents who are thinking about a Christening for their child to come and share in a service with us. Also, before the service can go ahead, parents are invited to an informal information morning in church, where you can meet the Vicar, and the baptism team who can explain the service and what is involved in a Christening, over a cup of tea. These take place on a Saturday morning.
What is baptism ?
In baptism, you as parents are thanking God for his gift of life, deciding 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 journey of faith, which involves turning away from the darkness of
self-centredness, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.
Baptism is a 'sacrament' a visible sign of God's love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging his love. We are acknowledging that we all need to turn away from the darkness of evil and to make a new start with God.
A frequently asked question:
Q. I'm not a regular churchgoer.
Can I still have my child baptised?
A. Yes. The Church believes that God's love is available to all, regardless of their background. The Vicar will talk through the options with you at the ‘Welcome Morning’, or you can arrange to see him privately if you would prefer.
You may also wish to find out more about the Christian faith and what joining the Church involves before you make a decision about baptism. Again, the Vicar can give you guidance.
“O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things."