Baptisms

 
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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 in raising 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 have the opportunity to reflect on what has been discussed before setting a date in the diary.

 
 
 

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 Sunday service, for others it may be held at another time.

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

The vicar will usually hold the child over the font and will carefully pour 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. Similarly for an adult except the vicar won’t be holding them! Where possible instead of a sprinkling an adult will be fully submerged in water.

We will usually sing a couple of hymns which the family would be 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 around 30 minutes.  

 
 
 

HYMNS

Some hymns you may choose to sing are:

  • 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)

 
 
 

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.

It is essential that at least one parent or primary caregiver is a sponsor, but there is no obligation on both parents to be one. As a church, we do value integrity, and our faith does matter, 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! 

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 one of them to be able to make the affirmation of faith and to commit themselves to this task. It is also important that these are peoples you trust. In the unlikely event of your demise, Godparents along with your immediate family will be considered as potential candidates to raise your child. 

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