What is baptism?
Baptism is a ceremony of admission into the Church. It is the sacrament in
which God adopts us as His children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the
Church, and inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
We are baptised into Christ, to share His life and to be renewed by
Him. Baptism must therefore be taken very seriously.
Baptism is not magic, especially in the case of infants or children.
Although new life is given by God in baptism, and the person is included into
the Christian family, full conversion (i.e. a conscious acceptance of the
Christian faith and life) comes later.
The support of parents, godparents and the Christian community is needed for
this, and confirmation later becomes an adult and personal acceptance of this
faith.
Baptism of adults (i.e. those who have accepted the Christian faith but
were not baptised as children) is done on their own behalf.
For further information on baptism, see pages 361 - 363 of the Anglican
Prayer Book.
Who then may be baptised?
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Infants, where one or both parents are worshipping members of the
congregation - and have been so for at least 4 - 6 months; and
-
Older children and adults, who are already worshipping members of the
congregation or Sunday School.
Do we turn people away?
It is not our aim to turn people away or to embarrass anyone. Rather, we want
to take you, your child and the decision to follow the Christian faith
seriously. We also want to let baptism be the occasion of grace it is meant to
be, in which we thankfully receive the salvation which Jesus offers us through
His death and resurrection.
For infants and young children, parents and godparents make the baptismal
promises on their behalf. It is therefore essential that they are regular
worshipping Christians, able to keep the promises made to bring the child up in
the Christian faith. If this is not the case, for the Church to allow baptism is
to encourage perjury.
Baptism of those too young to answer for themselves is therefore a privilege
extended to believing parents, and is not a right to be demanded!
Is there preparation involved?
There is a four-session course of preparation. It is essential to attend
these before baptism takes place. You may even attend before the birth of your
child! Where only one parent attends church, the other is nevertheless
encouraged to be part of the course.
There are normally two courses held each year, well publicised in the weekly
bulletins.
When do baptisms take place?
Certain Sundays of the year are set aside for baptisms. They usually take
place during one of the Sunday Eucharist services and the first baptisms each
year normally take place on Easter Sunday. Private baptisms are not possible,
except in an emergency.
What about godparents/sponsors?
It is traditional (but not essential) to have up to 3 godparents, who may be
friends or family members. They are invited to share in the responsibility of
encouraging their godchild's Christian formation.
They must be baptised, practising Christians, who also accept the validity of
infant baptism. Godparents are not the same as legal guardians.
They are invited to attend the preparation course, and where this is not
possible, should make every effort to attend the 4th session, which includes
preparation for the baptism service and looks at the responsibilities of parents
and godparents.
What about visitors or parishioners from elsewhere?
Visitors requiring baptism here for family reasons must consult with the
clergy well in advance.
If you are from another parish, and for good reason wish your child to be
baptised here, you will be asked to obtain a letter from your Rector confirming
your membership and his or her consent to the baptism, and that adequate
preparation has taken place.
Are there fees for baptisms?
There is no clergy fee for baptism. However, a thank-offering for the baptism
and the preparation classes may be made.
What do we do now?
Contact the Church Office for an application form and for information about
the next baptism preparation course. Speak to one of the staff if you have any
questions.
