Many thanks for your interest in Holy Baptism. This page should give you some more information about what it is and what you need to do if you would like to be baptised or to have your child baptised.
Please look through the information below and if you would like someone to contact you complete the form at the end.
What is Baptism?
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus’ baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives.
What do I need to do?
For you or your child to be baptised, you’ll need to collect a baptism application form. These are available in church following our Sunday morning services. On the second Sunday of each month, we hold a family service beginning at 9:30 am. If you’re new to church or have small children, this service is fairly relaxed and informal and will give you a good chance to chat with some of our regular congregation. You never know – you may meet someone else there who’s exploring baptism too! Refreshments are available after the service.
Once you’ve completed the form, you can hand it to the service leader, the person who gave you the form or else post it to the Rector – his address is on the form. He’ll then contact you to organise a date for the baptism.
About a month before the baptism, the Rector (or whoever’s leading the service) will be in touch to arrange a meeting. This is an opportunity for you to discuss the service and anything else you would like to know about the Christian faith.
Godparents
For a child to be baptised, you must nominate at least three Godparents. Two are expected to be of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. It is sometimes possible to have only two Godparents – providing one is a man and the other a woman. If you think this is the best course for you, please chat with the Rector before you come to any firm decision and complete any forms.
To be a Godparent, you have to have been baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In practice, this means that anybody who has been baptised in any Christian denomination is eligible to be a Godparent.
If you haven’t been baptised don’t worry, whilst you can’t be a Godparent, you can still be the sponsor of a child. If this is the case, please have a chat with the Rector who will explain to you how you can still sponsor the baptism candidate without being a Godparent.
We always look forward to the opportunity of welcoming a new Christian to the church so for someone to contact you please complete the details below. Someone will then get back to you and advise you on how you can proceed along this wonderful road.
Baptism Enquiry
Please complete as much detail as possible in the form below.
Please note that baptism services normally happen on the first Sunday of each month starting at 2:00 p.m.
Material on this page is taken from Common Worship: Initiation Services and is copyright © The Archbishop’s Council, 1998.