BAPTISM
Baptism is the symbolic act of membership of a church. In the Bible baptism took place after a person had come to a living faith in Jesus Christ and on occasion was extended to their households.
The baptism service requires a strong expression of and commitment to the Christian faith.
Believers baptism by immersion is available to those who have come to a personal faith in Jesus. The policy of the church in respect of children is that baptism should only be available to the families of practising Christians i.e. communicant members of the church.
Approximately four out of five children are not baptised currently and this allows them to make their own decisions as adults on matters of faith. Baptism is not a requirement for a person to married in their parish church, which is a legal right (subject to certain restrictions).
It is recognised that families that do not come to church or are not practising Christians may still wish to give thanks to God for the birth of a child. There is available, therefore, A Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child. This involves prayers offered to God by the minister for parents and child and the opportunity also for parents to offer prayers of thanks. This service does not require any prior Christian commitment nor the expression of promises of faith and commitment as required in the baptism service.
Both baptims and thanksgivings take place in public worship, normally in a family service.
If you have any further queries, or would like to discuss a Thanksgiving Service (or baptism, if appropriate) please contact the parish office.