Application for Baptism (Christening)
Please read this carefully
What Baptism is not:
Baptism is not a naming ceremony. Your child already has his/her name.
Baptism is not a way of getting your child into heaven.
Baptism will not make any difference to your child's behaviour/health/etc.
Baptism is not even a service of thanksgiving to God for your child. There is such a service available and we can arrange that if you wish.
So what is Baptism?
Baptism is about becoming a member of the Church. In the case of babies, baptism is carried out on the strength of the faith of the parents and the godparents. You will be promising to "draw him/her by your example into the community of faith." and to "help him / her to take their place within the life and worship of Christ's Church." This means that you as parents will be firmly rooted within the family of the church yourselves, if your child's baptism is to be meaningful.
In the baptism service you will be asked a number of questions about your own faith and about how you intend to bring up your child as a Christian. These questions are listed below. Read them now and think carefully about them, and only go ahead with your child's baptism if you can answer them openly and honestly before God:
Do you reject the devil
and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you
renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you
repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as
Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you
submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you
come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
If you feel you can give these answers honestly, and intend to set your child an example of Christian discipleship, then please complete the form below.
The Next Stage:
When you have completed the form, give our Priest, Revd Gary Best, a ring on 01728 685550 to arrange a convenient time when the two of you (both parents, please, if both are making the declarations) to come to the Rectory for half an hour while we discuss the service and its implications. If your babysitting arrangements fall through, give me a ring and we will fix up an alternative time. Please bring the attached form to the interview.
Please
also be aware that all eight parishes are part of the Mid Loes Benefice and the baptism could take place
anywhere in the benefice. If you are keen that the the baptism takes place in
your own parish church, that will be possible, but may limit available dates.
Child's date of birth:
Child's Christian name(s) and surname:
Father's Christian name(s) and surname:
Have you been baptised? Confirmed?
Mother's Christian name(s) and surname:
Have you been baptised? Confirmed?
Address (You must be living in the Mid Loes Benefice):
Father's occupation:
Mother's occupation:
Full names of Godparents*:
1. Baptised? Confirmed?
2. Baptised? Confirmed?
3. Baptised? Confirmed?
* Church law requires that Godparents should be baptised and Confirmed and shall be persons who "will faithfully fulfil their responsibilities both by their care for the child committed to their charge and by the example of their own godly living" (Book of Common Prayer). Please be sure to have at least one Godparent who has been Confirmed.
It is usual to have three Godparents, two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex, but to have one Godfather and one Godmother is sufficient. Parents may be Godparents to their own child provided there is one additional Godparent.
Baptisms are welcome during any of our main services.
Please bring this form with
you to the interview with our Priest