
Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan by his cousin John and Jesus told his disciples to go out into the world teaching faith and baptising. Some churches will only baptise those who can make a faith decision for themselves, but the Church of England has always baptised children as well as adults.
Christening and Baptism is the same thing and is an entry into the Christian Church as well as a wonderful way of celebrating the gift of new life.
If after reading the rest of this information, you would like to organise a Christening or Baptism please contact our Administrator, Marie Hough, or our Rector, Revd Canon John Barr.
Marie's details are: Telephone- 01664 494 424, email- [email protected]
John's details are: Telephone- 07802 653818, email- [email protected]
For the Church of England help click www.churchofengland.org/life-events/christenings
What is christening?
In the early church, adults who came to believe the Christian faith would be baptised in a river to wash away their old life and put on the new. An adult baptism has great symbolism - going down in the water dying to the old life - and rising up again out of the water into a new life.
In the early church, whole families would be baptised together as they began their new journey in faith.
Throughout the history of the Church of England most people in most places attended their parish church or chapel. When they had a baby they would bring their child to be 'Christed' - to be accepted into their faith and their church.
It is only in the last 50 years or so that the majority of people in Britain are no longer regular attendees at church. It would be logical to think that Christening was no longer important. But if it wasn't important to you, you probably wouldn't be reading this information.
Christening Today
We still believe that Christening is very important. But it is often misunderstood. Parents who choose Christening for their children are making faith promises to God on their behalf and promises to God are never to be taken lightly.
Parents and Godparents promise to:
Parents and Godparents
Parents and Godparents make faith statements on behalf of the child in the service, in effect renewing their own Baptism/Christening vows. If parents haven't been Christened/Baptised themselves, then we would ask that they seriously consider getting baptised alongside their child. People who do this find it very meaningful. It is a Church of England requirement that all godparents must have been baptised/ christened themselves – because part of the role of godparents is to help encourage their godchild to grow in faith and to help them understand how to live their life in a Christian way.
Children and Church
All of our churches try to be child friendly and our children's workers have been through Child Protection procedures. We like children to be children and happily accommodate babies who fall asleep in sermon, toddlers who toddle, and children who want to worship God as children. However, we do welcome people of all ages and ask parents to be aware of people who may have had a hard week and who need a bit of peace and quiet. There is room for all!
Services of Thanksgiving
If all of this is asking for more faith than you have then, if you would like, we can arrange 'A Service of Thanksgiving' after the birth of your child, which celebrates birth and new life, but stops short of faith, promises and commitment.
Christenings are usually held at 12.30 or 1.00 pm on a Sunday (unless parents especially ask for a Baptism during a main church service at 10.30am)
Because we have six churches with a rotating pattern of Sunday worship, the first choice of date my not always be possible, but we will do our very best to be accommodating.
We ask you to check that important people who you want to be present are available before you set the date with us.
There is a small fee involved (and an extra fee if you request the services of an organist to play, bellringers and/or we need the heating on in the colder months) and we also put a plate at the church door for donations that people wish to make.
If you live outside our parishes, we ask that you consult your local Vicar (or Rector) first to check that they have no objections to you 'coming elsewhere'.
Adult Baptism and Confirmation
If you were not christened/ baptised as a child, you may now want to commit to Christ by being baptised and confirmed. A real faith is one which grows, develops and deepens over the years. In Confirmation, we confirm that we believe in Jesus and we are prepared to commit our lives to following Him. It’s the greatest challenge and the most important and worthwhile commitment we can ever make.
Please contact us to arrange a chat with the Rector to discuss what this would involve for you.
You may find answers to some of your questions at www.churchofengland.org/life-events/confirmation
Christening and Baptism is the same thing and is an entry into the Christian Church as well as a wonderful way of celebrating the gift of new life.
If after reading the rest of this information, you would like to organise a Christening or Baptism please contact our Administrator, Marie Hough, or our Rector, Revd Canon John Barr.
Marie's details are: Telephone- 01664 494 424, email- [email protected]
John's details are: Telephone- 07802 653818, email- [email protected]
For the Church of England help click www.churchofengland.org/life-events/christenings
What is christening?
In the early church, adults who came to believe the Christian faith would be baptised in a river to wash away their old life and put on the new. An adult baptism has great symbolism - going down in the water dying to the old life - and rising up again out of the water into a new life.
In the early church, whole families would be baptised together as they began their new journey in faith.
Throughout the history of the Church of England most people in most places attended their parish church or chapel. When they had a baby they would bring their child to be 'Christed' - to be accepted into their faith and their church.
It is only in the last 50 years or so that the majority of people in Britain are no longer regular attendees at church. It would be logical to think that Christening was no longer important. But if it wasn't important to you, you probably wouldn't be reading this information.
Christening Today
We still believe that Christening is very important. But it is often misunderstood. Parents who choose Christening for their children are making faith promises to God on their behalf and promises to God are never to be taken lightly.
Parents and Godparents promise to:
- Pray with and for their children
- Teach them Bible stories
- Bring them regularly to worship in a Church or Christian Group
Parents and Godparents
Parents and Godparents make faith statements on behalf of the child in the service, in effect renewing their own Baptism/Christening vows. If parents haven't been Christened/Baptised themselves, then we would ask that they seriously consider getting baptised alongside their child. People who do this find it very meaningful. It is a Church of England requirement that all godparents must have been baptised/ christened themselves – because part of the role of godparents is to help encourage their godchild to grow in faith and to help them understand how to live their life in a Christian way.
Children and Church
All of our churches try to be child friendly and our children's workers have been through Child Protection procedures. We like children to be children and happily accommodate babies who fall asleep in sermon, toddlers who toddle, and children who want to worship God as children. However, we do welcome people of all ages and ask parents to be aware of people who may have had a hard week and who need a bit of peace and quiet. There is room for all!
Services of Thanksgiving
If all of this is asking for more faith than you have then, if you would like, we can arrange 'A Service of Thanksgiving' after the birth of your child, which celebrates birth and new life, but stops short of faith, promises and commitment.
Christenings are usually held at 12.30 or 1.00 pm on a Sunday (unless parents especially ask for a Baptism during a main church service at 10.30am)
Because we have six churches with a rotating pattern of Sunday worship, the first choice of date my not always be possible, but we will do our very best to be accommodating.
We ask you to check that important people who you want to be present are available before you set the date with us.
There is a small fee involved (and an extra fee if you request the services of an organist to play, bellringers and/or we need the heating on in the colder months) and we also put a plate at the church door for donations that people wish to make.
If you live outside our parishes, we ask that you consult your local Vicar (or Rector) first to check that they have no objections to you 'coming elsewhere'.
Adult Baptism and Confirmation
If you were not christened/ baptised as a child, you may now want to commit to Christ by being baptised and confirmed. A real faith is one which grows, develops and deepens over the years. In Confirmation, we confirm that we believe in Jesus and we are prepared to commit our lives to following Him. It’s the greatest challenge and the most important and worthwhile commitment we can ever make.
Please contact us to arrange a chat with the Rector to discuss what this would involve for you.
You may find answers to some of your questions at www.churchofengland.org/life-events/confirmation