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Baptisms

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Matthew 3:11

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FIRST STEPS

If you would like a baptism then the first step is to organise a meeting with the vicar. This is best done by talking to the vicar at the end of a service. During the meeting you will have a conversation about what baptism is, the significance of the promises made, and where you are in your own faith. For an infant baptism we will also discuss how you intend to nurture the child's faith as they grow up and your commitment to raise the child in the faith community. We will also discuss alternatives to baptism as described below should you feel they are more appropriate. Following the meeting you will be asked to go and think things through and to get back in touch if you would like to proceed and we will then arrange a date and time for the service.

THE SERVICE

The service itself is straight forward and will usually be a very relaxed event.  If appropriate regular attendees will have the baptism during the main church service, for others the service we will be at a more private service.

At an infant baptism, sponsors of the child will need to make an affirmation of their own faith and make promises before God about their intentions for the child. 

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The vicar will usually hold the child over the font and will carefully poor water over the child's forehead using a shell (trying to keep it away from the child's eyes!) and the child will be anointed with oil. 

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we will usually sing a couple of hymns which the family is welcome to choose, there will be a Bible reading (which can be read out by a guest) and there will be a short address. the entire service will usually take just under 30 minuets.  

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HYMNS

  • Shine Jesus Shine

  • Guide Me O Though Great Redeemer

  • The Lord's My Shepherd

  • Amazing Grace

  • Lord of All Hopefulness

  • How Great Thou Art

  • Be Thou My Vision

  • Great Is Thy Faithfulness

  • Immortal Invisible God Only Wise

  • Love Divine

  • Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven

  • All Things Bright And Beautiful

  • Lord Of The Dance

  • Give Me Joy In My Heart

  • In Christ Alone

  • Halelu Halelu Halelu Hallelujah

  • Our God is so Big

  • Be Bold

  • Who's The King Of The Jungle

  • Our God Is A Great Big God

  • 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord O My Soul)

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Sponsors 

The Sponsors consists of the Parents and the Godparents. there must be at least three sponsors at the baptism of a child, although there are usually four. it is possible to have more but this should be discussed with the vicar.

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It is essential that at least one parent or primary caregivers is  a sponsor, but here is no obligation on both parents being one. As a church we do value integrity, and our faith does matter to us, therefore we have no interest in making people affirm something they do not agree with. If you can not make the promises and the affirmation as a parent then that is ok, just so long as one of the parents can! 

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The Godparents are people you are asking to take an active role in your child's upbringing. the most important part of their role is to support the parents in raising the child in God, to support and nurture the child's faith so that they will grow to be a Christian. Because of their obligation, it is necessary for each of them to be able to make the affirmation of faith and to commit themselves to this task. It is also important that these be peoples you trust. in the unlikely event of your demise, then Godparents along with your immediate families may be looked to as long term caregivers of your child. 

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Cost

We do not charge for Baptisms. However, there will be a plate by the door of the church for donations, which would be wormy welcomed.

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