HOLY BAPTISM at ALL SAINTS'
Baptism for an adult or an older child
If you are wondering about baptism for an adult or an older child, or perhaps a child who has come home one day and asked "Can I be baptised?" then please contact the vicar. The vicar will suggest that you meet before a date for the baptism is arranged, and may also want to discuss with you whether you would like to take more time to learn more about the Christian faith and then be confirmed at the same time. If you want to read more about baptism in the Church of England you can do so here:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/baptism1.html#decisions
Baptism for a baby or a young child
If you are a new parent you may find yourself full of wonder and amazement at the gift of a new child that you have been given. When a baby is born, many new parents also begin to think about what is really important in life, and what they want their growing child to value. Other people want to express their thanks to God for their new child. All parents want the best for their child and if you are reading this, you may feel that baptism plays a part in this.
If any of these feelings are your feelings, then we believe that you are responding to God in your life. Even people who don’t go to church very often find themselves saying a prayer for the safe birth of their child. If you are reading this, then you may want to ask yourself whether God has answered those prayers.
How can the church help you to show these feelings in worship?
The simplest way to thank God for your child is through your prayers. Just tell God how you feel and we believe God will listen and hear you.
You can bring your baby to a church service however tiny he or she is. If you come to the 10.00 Sunday service at All Saints', then when everyone comes to the altar for communion, bring your baby and the priest will bless him or her (and you!).
A Service of Baptism for a young child
In baptism we give thanks to God for the new life of the child and ask God to bless him or her, but more importantly, baptism is also the way in which you become a member of the Christian church, whatever age you are, and is the start of your life as Christian.
Baptism is a sign of belonging – belonging to God through his son Jesus Christ, and belonging to God’s family, the Church. This is why the parents and god-parents are asked if they believe in Jesus Christ, as God’s son; and asked to promise that they will bring their child up as Christian, teaching him or her about Jesus, about praying and bringing their child to church often enough for church to be a familiar place to the child.
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/baptism1.html#service
Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child
There is a service called "Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child". In this service we give thanks for the gift of the child, we ask God to bless the child and pray for his or her parents and family. Other people choose it if they want a public service, but want their child to be able to make a positive choice to become a Christian when he or she is older.
Some families are not sure about baptism: perhaps one parent has faith in God and the other parent isn’t sure, or when the parents look at the promises that they will be making, they realise that they want to find out more about God and Jesus before they make these promises. This service can be very helpful for these families.
Your child can still be baptised at a time that is right for you and your child.