As the days grow longer and, hopefully, warmer and we anticipate pleasant summer days and evenings our thoughts turn towards using some of the time for special life events in our families. The summer months are always popular for baptisms, as well as weddings, and I hope this summer will not be an exception!
Baptisms are usually of babies or small children. (Adult baptisms usually take place as part of the Confirmation service at the Cathedral). Age doesn’t matter at all – it is the initiation act of baptism into the Christian faith that is important!
However, I have come across a number of myths regarding baptism – the main ones seem to suggest that you can’t get married in church or be buried in the churchyard if you’re not baptised. This isn’t correct at all!
It is correct though, that godparents to a child must be baptised and this is quite logical as a godparent is to support the child being baptised in its Christian journey – it is an active long-term responsibility to help the newly baptised in building a relationship with God. It is an undertaking which involves encouraging the newly baptised to attend and worship God with the local congregation so that they can know the support and benefits of being part of a Christian community. Within this context the baptised should grow in faith and, in time, be able to declare their faith to God and receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The introduction to the church community is often through the baptism being part of a Sunday main service so that the congregation can meet the family and make them welcome. However, this isn’t always possible in which case a separate service is held in the afternoon. If this is the case it is good to arrange for the newly baptised to be welcomed by the congregation at another time.
In each parish a variety of services is provided and each church has a service of worship once a month especially designed for the needs of families with young children. This is often theme based, and offers of help through ideas and leading part of the worship are encouraged and welcomed by myself. Family Services are for families to be enabled to worship and grow in God’s ways together.
I’m not sure how many people know this but the Church of England has a rich variety of liturgical resources. If you have access to the Internet then ‘Google’ The Church of England and you will find loads of information, one section of which will be entitled ‘Prayer and Worship’. Follow this link, then ‘Worship’ and then ‘Common Worship’. You will see that Baptism (Christian Initiation) is not the only option for the newly born, the Church of England also welcomes families who would simply like to give thanks for the gift of their child, or children and celebrate that event alone. In fact, it was lovely to be able to offer this to a family recently which didn’t feel ready to make a commitment to the declaration of faith that baptism requires. A variety of opportunities to worship and grow in faith so that the needs of the many are met is something I am keen to provide. Let me know if you have any thoughts, requests or ideas that you would like to discuss so that we can do something about them! Your input is essential to being provided with the opportunity that helps you to grow in the Christian faith.
All children, and adults, are very welcome at all the churches for baptism and thanksgiving services, and indeed to ALL the services. Many of us have been through the process of taking young children to church and know that it is not always easy to keep them focussed on what is going on around them, so you will have lots of sympathy, help and understanding plus a big welcome! Please get in touch with me if you would like to discuss your needs! I will do my best to accommodate them!
And do let me know if the Church of England website reflects your perceptions of what is available to you all!
With love
Ann