How do I arrange a child's Christening/Baptism?
What are Christening and Baptism?
Christening is a common name for what is properly called Baptism. Baptism is a Sacrament - an outward sign (pouring water over the head), pointing to a deeper reality (cleansing from sin and being joined to Christ and his Church). There is no set age for baptism: if you want to find out about being baptised yourself as an adult, click here; if you want to find out about arranging to have a child baptised, please read on.
What to expect at St Thomas'
At St Thomas' we offer a 'package' for parents wishing to have their children baptised:
The first step is to make contact, ideally by dropping in to the Church Centre or telephoning during the Wednesday evening office hour, from 7pm-8pm, and speaking to one of the clergy. At this initial meeting we will try and find a date for the baptism service - usually we have a baptism service one Sunday a month at 11.45 (after the main Sunday service) for one or more families, though baptism can be part of the main Sunday service if you wish. You will also be asked to start thinking about who will be godparents if you haven't already done so, the main requirement being that they are themselves baptised and are willing to take on this responsibility.
Second, a one of our baptism familly visiting team will visit you at home - this team consists of parents who have had children baptised quite recently, and will aim to tell you something about what St Thomas' has to offer young children and parents, as well as try and answer questions you may have about baptism and St Thomas' church. They will also bring forms for your child's godparents to sign to indicate their willingness to support your child.
Third, you will be invited to attend a baptism preparation evening, usually the Wednesday before the Baptism from 8pm. This will involve an explanation of what we believe Baptism to be about, and what we mean when we talk about Baptism being a sacrament. When we ask parents why they want their child baptised many reply that it is because they want their child to have a sense of belonging, and to adopt Christian values as they grow up. This is a pretty good start: baptism is about belonging, as it is the means by which people, whether children or adults, join the church - by which we mean the whole world-wide church of God, as well as our local church community. When a child is baptised, its parents and godparents make promises on his or her behalf in the hope that, in time, the child will be able to take these promises and accept the faith of the Church for themselves. This is formally marked by another sacrament, confirmation.
Fourth, is the service itself, which will have been explained in the preparation evening. The crucial part of this is the pouring of water at the font*, but there are other elements to the service: the promises, affirmation of faith, and anointing with oil before and after the water as a sign that God will strengthen the child for their Christian life. You (on behalf of the child) will also be given a lighted candle as a sign that through baptism they have passed from darkness to the light of Christ.
Fifth, you will be invited to the 10am eucharist the following Sunday, during which their will be a short welcome for the baptised children, and you will be given a baptism certificate.
The 'package' does not end there - we hope that you will see baptism as a beginning not an end, and that you will continue to regard yourself and your child as part of the community at St Thomas', by worshipping with us, joining in our family activities, and in time coming to confirmation.
Resources
* pouring or dipping in water and the words 'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' are all that is essential to baptism, and in an emergency anyone can do this. If your child has received an emergency baptism (e.g. in hospital) then they are properly baptised, but we would still encourage you to make contact with us and bring them along to church so that they can be welcomed into the church community.