Are you thinking about baptism?
More information on Baptism from Church of England website.
Each year, millions of adults and children are baptised throughout the world, following the example and command of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is our privilege and pleasure to be able to minister this Holy Sacrament and to welcome new members of a universal Church which continues to grow at a rate of thousands of souls each day.
- to receive people of whatever age and background into Christ's body, the Church;
- to allow people an opportunity to repent of their sins and to encourage a public profession of faith in the One God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
- to impart the Holy Spirit on the person being baptised.
When Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan, he became aware of God as his Father and felt the special presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Later, after his death and resurrection, Jesus told his followers to go out into the world to make new disciples and to baptise them, too. Ever since, this has been done in Christian churches throughout the world.
In baptism God receives people into Christ's Body - the Universal Church - which means that they become members of something that is far larger than the local parish church. And it's not just an earthly Church, but one that stretches back through history and on into eternity.
Baptism remains the only prerequisite to full membership of that Church.
In the early days of the Church, new Christians were often baptised at Easter. After a course of instruction in the faith, they publicly entered into a new life, repenting of their sins and receiving the assurance of God's forgiveness. This was a symbol that they had died to their old life and, born again, been given a share in the Holy Spirit who came on Jesus at his baptism and, after his resurrection, was given to his disciples.
In the early Christian Church, those who joined the Church were generally not only baptised with water: the bishop also laid his hands on them in blessing, a rite which later developed into what we now know as confirmation. Admission to the Church was 'completed' by their receiving Holy Communion for the first time.
Whilst the baptism of adults continues, nowadays it is mainly infants and toddlers that are brought for baptism within the Church of England. During the rite of baptism of infants and toddlers, certain promises and declarations of faith must be made by the parents and godparents on behalf of the child. These are serious decisions with implications that could have an impact on the child's spiritual welfare: therefore, careful consideration should be given when selecting people to act as godparents. Parents who feel unable, for whatever reason, to make these solemn promises and declarations, may opt for a Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a child instead of baptism. This allows parents to thank God publicly for their children and to ask His blessing upon them.
Godparents play an important role in the sacrament of baptism, making serious promises and affirmations on behalf of their godchild. Being chosen as a godparent should be regarded as an honour and at the very least they are expected to pray regularly for the child, set a good example, take a keen interest in him/her and generally be regarded as a friend. The Church of England requires that there should be at least three godparents, at least two of whom should be of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Parents can be godparents provided that there is at least one other. Godparents must be baptised themselves.
To enquire about baptism for yourself or your child, please contact the Vicar, Revd Tony Sophianou (01405 766058) or email.
