Congratulations on the birth of your child.
It is a great privilege and joy to bring a child into the world, but also a great responsibility bestowed on you by God. Many parents still desire to celebrate the birth of their child with a church ceremony, often called Christening. There are two types of Christening services, we offer: Baptism and A Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child.
Baptism
Having an infant baptised is a serious commitment on behalf of the parents and godparents of the child. It involves making promises to God and the church that should not be entered into lightly. Baptism is a sign of membership in God’s church and signifies a commitment to raise you child to love and serve Jesus as Lord, as an active member of the church. It is a ceremony, using water, that symbolises Jesus’ death and resurrection and our commitment to follow him. It therefore carries with it various responsibilities. Baptism is a sign of discipleship which, for Jesus’ followers, involves a complete change of lifestyle, including a commitment to meet together with God’s people and to live according to the Bible’s teaching.
For this reason, we will only set a date for the baptism of an infant after we have given the parents the opportunity to consider carefully the promises they will be making. All parents who bring their infant children for baptism are required to attend a five session course named Christianity Explored, which gives them an opportunity to consider what is involved in Baptism.
For those who are not ready to make the commitments that Baptism involve, we offer an alternate service…
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child.
This is a type of naming service where parents can have their child appropriately named, with prayers offered to God, and ask for God’s blessing, in the presence of their friends and family. This Service is offered to anyone who would like to have an association with our church, and would like to mark their child’s birth by giving thanks to God for such a wonderful gift.
Both services: Baptism and A Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child are held during our 9.30am service on the first Sunday of the month.
First Steps…
To discuss the various options available please come along to one of our Sunday services to talk more with our Senior Minister, Rev. Aleks Pinter.