Arranging a Christening or Baptism

The Church of England offers two alternative services to parents who have young children.

1.    THE SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING 

Here the Priest formally names the child, gives thanks for the child and prays, with the laying on of hands, for God’s blessing on him or her.  

You are not required to make any solemn promises of commitment to Christ and the Church but you can have sponsors (like godparents). The services are normally on a Sunday morning.

If you wish to arrange a Service of Thanksgiving for your child please ring the Vicarage 01362 850243

2.   BAPTISM (CHRISTENING) 

Here parents (and godparents) make solemn promises of commitment to Christ and the Church.  These promises imply that you will worship with us as regularly as possible. A member of the Baptism preparation team will meet with the parents (normally for three sessions) to go through preparation for the service At least one parent and all Godparents must have been baptised themselves. Out of professional courtesy and because families normally worship at their local church, we do not normally baptise children who live outside our parishes - unless the family worship regularly with us.  

Baptism is not a one-off event but the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love.

Becoming a Christian requires:

Repentance

Faith (in Jesus)

Baptism (Christening)

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Baptism in water, as merely an outward rite, does not make a person a Christian. It must be accompanied by repentance and faith. When a baby is baptised they are baptised in anticipation that s/he will eventually come to faith. Baptism is the beginning of a spiritual journey.
If  you live in the parish and you wish to arrange a Baptism (Christening) please ring the Vicarage 01362 850243.

[Similarly if you wish to arrange an Adult Baptism or a Confirmation please ring the Vicarage 01362 850243.

More information on the Church of England website.