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Baptisms
Christ Church
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and making decisions for ourselves or parents make the decision on behalf of their child to begin their journey in the Christian faith and asking for the Church's support.
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God that continues for the rest of our lives.
Baptism is a 'sacrament' a visible sign of God's love and membership of His family. In baptism, we are thanking God for His gift of life and publicly declaring God’s love.
We are acknowledging that we turn away from selfishness and evil and accept God’s offer of a new beginning.
In baptism you declare publicly that you believe in God. Parents bringing their child for baptism will make the declaration on behalf of their child and declare that they will bring their child up to follow Jesus. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future.
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens of the Christian journey of faith. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us that Jesus died for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us with Jesus Christ’s dying and rising. 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 will be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Jesus Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives.
As you pray for baptism candidates, picture him/her with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.
THE SERVICE
We are pleased that you have a baptism (Christening) at Christ Church. Your child’s Baptism is a time for celebration and joy. Naturally, you want the best for your child and we want to help you plan and prepare for the Baptism in the best possible way.
Baptisms take place either during our morning worship at 10am or at 11.30am. (See future dates below).
If candidates are over 5 years old, Rev Lydia will arrange some sessions to help the candidate prepare for the baptism.
We do try to make the service personal for each child and normally your child will be the only child being baptised. However, there may be occasions where there are more than one.
Rev Lydia will come and visit you before the baptism to talk through the service and the promises that you will be making. We also suggest you attend our family services to get a feel for the church ahead of the baptism. In the week leading up to the baptism you are invited to come into church for a rehearsal with godparents.
Additional information about Baptisms
PHOTOGRAPHS
Baptism is a ‘sacrament’, a visible sign of God’s love, and because it is special we ask that you do not take photographs during the service. But if you would like certain photographs as a memory of the occasion we are happy to re-enact any of the service afterwards.
A GIFT
As a baptism gift we like to give children a knitted teddy made by our Mothers’ Union. They are handmade and so for health and safety purposes we will seek you in your permission to give your child this gift.
DONATION TO CHURCH
There is no charge for a Baptism service. There will be a cash collection at the end of the service and if you wish to make a donation towards Christ Church this
is the time to do so or you can donate on
BAPTISM DATES FOR 2024
SUNDAY 9th JUNE 10AM
SUNDAY 7th JULY 10AM
SUNDAY 21st JULY 11.30AM
SUNDAY 4th AUGUST 10AM
SUNDAY 18th AUGUST 11.30AM
SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 10AM
SUNDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 11.30AM
SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER 10AM
SUNDAY 20th OCTOBER 11.30AM
SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 10AM
SUNDAY 17th NOVEMBER 11.30AM