Some Questions and Answers

Q. What’s the difference between a baptism and a christening?A. None, they are just different words for the same thing.

Q. Can we have a private service of baptism?

A. Baptisms take place in the church’s main service, because they are a public declaration that your child has become part of the church family. It is important that the church congregation is there to support you and welcome your child.

Q. What is the right age for baptism?
A. Baptism can happen at any age. What matters is that those concerned are committed to bring up a child as a Christian.
Teenagers and adults may also be baptized. This is celebrated with confirmation by the Bishop. You can only be baptised once, but there are ways of renewing your Christian commitment publicly as an adult - your priest will be able to advise you.

Q. I’m not a regular churchgoer. Can I still have my child baptized?
A. Yes. The Church believes that God’s love is available to all, regardless of their background. Your parish priest can talk you through the options: you might prefer to have a Thanksgiving service first and then consider baptism when you have had time to talk through what is being asked of you. You may also wish to find out more about the Christian faith and what joining the Church involves before you make a decision about baptism. Again, your parish priest can give you guidance.

Q. What does it cost?
A. The Baptism service is free. There may be a small charge if you want a formal certificate.

Q. Who can be Godparents?
A. Godparents have a special role: helping a child to come to know God, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in their membership of the local church. Godparents make promises to help to bring their godchild up in the Christian faith. It’s a role that will develop over time, as the child grows up and develops their own faith.
The rules say: ‘No person shall be admitted to be a sponsor or godparent who has not been baptized and confirmed. Nevertheless the minister shall have power to dispense with the requirement of confirmation in any case in which in his judgement need so requires.’ This is because godparents must make the same promises on behalf of the child that they would at their own confirmation.

Confirmation

Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey where those who have been baptised as children make a firm commitment to Christian discipleship.

Data Protection

We are required to gather some details of you, your child and the godparents. This information is kept according to the parish data protection policy which may be viewed on this website.