Christening (Baptism)

Christening (also called Baptism) is a service of welcome into the Christian family. If you are thinking about christening for your child, the information in this leaflet should help to answer some of the questions you might have.

More about Christening – please see https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/christenings

If you would like a downloadable version of this page please click here.

WHAT IS CHRISTENING ABOUT?

Christening is a very ancient service. It is the way in which people join the church and it means making promises and being prepared to let God change you. At its heart, it tells us about four things – being, belonging, believing and behaving.

1. BEING

In the Bible God says. “Do not be afraid. I have called you by name. You are mine.” Although the words are 2500 years old, Christians believe that they still have something to say to us. They tell us that every person is unique and special, known and loved by God.
Think about your child. What do you already know about him/her? What kind of person is he/she? What are your hopes and fears for him/her?

2. BELONGING
Being a Christian means belonging to the family of the church. Think about the groups you belong to – your family, your workplace, and your community. Do you like to be in the middle of all that is happening, or do you tend to hover at the edge?
How do you feel about being part of the church? How will you help your child feel that he/she belongs to the Christian family?
(See the section headed CHILDREN AT SEAL for ways of getting involved at Seal)

3. BELIEVING
During the service, you will be making promises both for yourself and for your child.

How much do you know about the beliefs that are important for Christians? This isn’t a test – just some questions to help you know what you think and feel about Christian faith.

What do you think and feel about…?

GOD THE FATHER
Christians believe that God made us and cares about us just as a loving parent would. How do you feel about your children? That’s how God feels about you.

GOD THE SON
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, showing us what God looks like and how much he loves us. During his life he spoke out and cared for those who were excluded or marginalised, and he stuck to his message of love, even though it meant he was crucified. God raised him from death to show us that love is stronger than hatred and life is stronger than death.

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Christians believe that God is with us here and now, involved in our lives every day. Have you ever felt that God was especially close to you? Where and how did this happen? What effect did it have on you?

4. BEHAVING
Christians have many different views on moral and ethical issues, but they agree that faith should affect the whole of our lives – our relationships with each other, our attitudes to time and money, and to the rest of creation, for example. The promises you make at christening on behalf of your child aren’t just about what you think and feel, but about how you live. You don’t have to be perfect – no one is – but christening is a good moment to ask yourself what really matters to you, and what values and priorities you want to pass on to your child.

When your child has grown up what do you hope he/she will have learnt from your example? What are your priorities, and how would people see them in action in your life?

WHO CAN BE CHRISTENED AT SEAL?

If you live in our parish or are on our electoral roll (church membership roll), your child can be christened at Seal. In christening, parents and godparents promise to help their children grow spiritually – that means learning to love and be loved, to care for others and to develop a sense of wonder and gratitude for the gift of life.

Spiritual growth isn’t just about “churchy” things, but being a part of the church community is one way of encouraging children to grow in this way, and christening involves a commitment to “help them take their place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church.” You and your child will always be welcome at our services and events. There is a special place at the back of the church where they can look at books, or play quietly during services if they get restless, and bags of toys to borrow to take to your seats if they need distracting. There are toilets in the church hall.

If you don’t live in our parish we will need to contact the vicar of your parish church to let them know you want a christening here. We always encourage people to consider christening where they live, so that they can put down roots, but we recognise that there may be all sorts of reasons why you’d like a christening at Seal, and it can usually be arranged.

ADULTS AND OLDER CHILDREN can also be christened – ask me for more information about this if you are interested.

GODPARENTS
It is recommended that your child should have at least three godparents (traditionally two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex.) However, you don’t have to stick to this pattern and can have more than three godparents if you like. To have more than six would be unusual.

Godparents should be adults. A useful rule of thumb is that they need to be old enough to be responsible parents if they are to be responsible godparents. Sometimes I have requests for older brothers or sisters to be godparents, but unless they are adults this is usually not appropriate and I would rather involve them in the service in other ways – for example, holding the candle.

Church rules state that Godparents should have been christened themselves. If the godparents you would like to choose haven’t been christened, please talk to me about it, so that we can discuss the options – we could even christen them at the same service.

LONE PARENTS, UNMARRIED AND SAME-SEX COUPLES

Christening expresses God’s love for your child and his unconditional welcome for him or her. We welcome you in the same spirit. Whatever form your family takes we will be delighted to celebrate with you as you bring your child for christening. If you are separated from your child’s other parent, however, you should discuss the christening with him or her if at all possible, to make sure he or she is happy for it to take place.

PRACTICAL MATTERS

PREPARATION
We will arrange to meet you (both parents) before the Christening for some preparation and to go through the service together. We can meet in your home or at the Vicarage.

TIMES AND DATES
Christenings can take place either during our main Sunday morning service or at another time of day. I am happy to discuss what would be best for you and to try to be flexible. Children from other families may be baptised at the same time as yours.

COST
Christening is free. There is a collection during or after the service for the work of the church, but there is no charge for christening and NO expectation that you will make a donation.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Please ask me if you want someone to take photos or videos for you during the service so that I can arrange for that to happen with the least disruption possible. We like to keep this to a minimum, with one or two “designated” photographers if possible.

BOOKING
To book or make enquiries about Christening at Seal, please phone or email me. And we will arrange a date for the preparation.

CHILDREN AT SEAL

Sunday worship at 10am and 6.30pm – Come and join us!

Children are welcome at all services, though the morning services are more likely to suit them.

• Messy Church – about 6 times a year (see below)
• All-Age service – 2nd Sunday of each month at 10 am – shorter, informal service.
• Children’s corner in church with toys for children who are restless in the service, and bags with toys to take into the pews.

MESSY CHURCH…

Activity, craft, cake, and a little bit of worship for all ages (0-99!) in the church hall, about every other month. Please watch the website or noticeboards for more details or ask to be put on the email reminder list so I can let you know when a session is coming up.

Please see the Children’s page for more details.