The birth of a child is a wondrous event which may have caused you to reflect upon what is important in life. You are not alone in wanting the best for your child and one way to make that wish a reality is to bring your child to church.
To have your children baptised is to express your desire to bring them up within the life of the church. By doing this they can benefit from the values, friendships and spiritual guidance that accompany faith in Jesus Christ. You will be thanking God for his gift of new life, making a decision to start on a journey of faith, asking for support from the church and, by joining the church, expressing your belief in God.
The Church is not just a building. It is a living community of people, both young and old, who seek to follow Jesus Christ, and it welcomes new members of any age who wish to make this commitment.
During the ceremony a number of important symbols are used to help you understand some of the wonderful things God can do in our lives.
Symbols Special oil is used to make the sign of the cross on the child's forehead. This is to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to believe and trust in him.
Water plays an important part in Baptism. All living things depend upon water to survive. The water of baptism reminds us that we all depend upon God. Water is also used for washing. The water of Baptism helps to symbolise how God can wash away the bad part of our nature, which we call Sin.
A lighted candle is given to the child at the end of the ceremony. This reminds them, and those present, that Jesus is the light of the world. He helps provide light and guidance as we seek to follow him.
Service of Thanksgiving
Some parents feel unready to make the promises required during the Baptism service but still wish to mark the birth of their child in a special way. Please contact one of the clergy to discuss this as it may be that a Service of Thanksgiving would be appropriate to express your gratitude for your child, and pray for God's blessing on them. Baptism can still take place at a later date as faith develops.
Whichever service you choose, the clergy and parishioners of St Stephen's with St Julian will support you at this special time, and into the future.
Coming to Church
As parents you should come to church a few times before deciding which service you feel would be most appropriate. This will benefit you by giving a sense of what church is about, and will allow you to reflect on your beliefs and values.
Making Contact
The next step is then to have a word with one of the clergy and express your interest in having your child baptised, or blessed at a thanksgiving service. The clergy will then come to your home at a convenient time for you so that they can answer any of your questions, and hear your thoughts about the Christian faith. They will also help you to become familiar with whichever service you choose for your child, so you can relax and enjoy the day.
Making the Date
The service usually takes place as part of the main service on Sunday morning enabling the congregation to meet and welcome you, your family and friends, and your child. Should this not be convenient to you then further opportunities exist to have a service after the main service on Sunday. If this is what you decide then we strongly recommend you follow up the baptism or thanksgiving service by bringing your child to one of the main services in the next few weeks, so your child can be welcomed as a new member of the church.
Making Decisions
A Baptism is an important occasion involving some serious decisions. You must choose Godparents who you will ask to pray for your child and set a good example of Christian living. It is important that both you the parents, and the Godparents, feel able to make the declarations and promises which form part of the Baptism service. The Godparents will need to be baptised themselves and mature enough to take on this important responsibility. You will all be asked to reject the devil and all rebellion against God, renounce the deceit and corruption of evil, repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour. You must also turn to Christ as Saviour, submit to Christ as Lord, and come to Christ as the way, the truth and the life.
We look forward to sharing this special day with you.
Making Decisions