Baptism (Christening)

Baptism is the sacramental entry into the family of God and into the life of the Church. Through water, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the candidate is welcomed into the body and community of the church.

In baptism, promises are made before God to turn to Christ, to repent of sin, and to renounce evil.

• For adults, these promises are made personally.
• For children, parents and godparents make these promises on the child’s behalf, and commit themselves to pray for them and to help them grow in faith and take their place in the life and worship of the Church. The congregation also promises to welcome and support those who are baptised and their families.

The various steps of the baptism service help us to understand God’s love. Passing through the water is not just a key part of the service; it is a sign of new life – being cleansed from sin and beginning a new life having been reborn as part of the Church. Those who are newly baptised will also receive a lighted candle, as a sign of the light of Christ.

When are Services held?

Baptisms are usually required by canon law to be held at our main services. This is to formally welcome the person being baptised into our congregation.

If my child is Christened, are we expected to attend church?

Baptism is a person’s welcome into the life of the Church, and it is much more than a one-off ceremony. It marks the formal start of a lifelong journey of faith, and the Church family promises to support you and your child along the way.
Sharing in worship and church life is one of the most natural ways for that relationship to grow: your child can learn the story of Jesus, experience prayer and worship, and be supported by a community that comes to know them. An ongoing relationship with the Church family is therefore a normal and life-giving part of what Baptism sets in motion.