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What is Baptism

Baptism is a `sacrament', a visible sign of Gods love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging his love. We accept that we all need to turn
away from selfishness and evil and to accept God's offer of a new start.
Parents who wish their child to be baptised are thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start their child on the journey of faith and asking the church's support.

Early baptism was usually for adults. it came to take place on the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter day. Reminded of the Good Friday story of Jesus' Crucifixion,
people said sorry for the things they had done wrong and were assured that God forgave them. In baptism, they were recived into the church with joy of the Ressurrection.
Baptisms often took place in a river. The new Christians were dipped under water, marking their death to an old way of life and lifted up again as a sign of new birth.
The service of baptism marks the start of a journey of faith.

What happens during the service at St. John's?

Don't worry about `technicalities'! You will be shown where to sit, when you need to move and what to say! Some parts of the service will be for everyone to join in,
some will be for you and the godparents. The baptism service will take place at the front of the church, and for the baptism itself, parents and godparents will be invited
by the vicar to gather around the font.
Baptism often takes place in the church's main service because they are public delaration 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. Of course, if your circumstances are such that a private service is better for you, just talk to the vicar-such
services are often arranged.
When you bring your child for baptism, you will be declaring publicly, on behalf of your child, that you belive in God and that you wll bring you child up to follow Jesus.
The declarations made by you and your child's godparents are a serious commitment and the local Christain community will promise to support you and pray for you
and your child.

The Role of Godparents

Godparents make the same promise on behalf of the child being baptised as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and help parents
to bring up the child in the Christain faith. It is an important and responsible role.

You should have at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents can be family members or friends. It is important,
however, that you choose people who will take an interest in your child's spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. Godparents should, themselves,
be baptised and ideally, confirmed.

I'm not a churchgoer. Can I still have my child baptised?

Yes. At St. John's we believe that God's love is availble to all,.

What's the differance between a baptism and a christening?

Nothing. They are just different words for the same thing.

What is the right age for baptism?

There is no `right' age to be baptised. Child or adult, God loves each one of us and welcomes us into the Church at any age.
If you decide to be baptised as a teenager or adult, you may also choose to be confirmed. Talk to the vicar or any member of our ministry team for more information and Guidance.

What is a thanksgiving service?

We like to call this a Service of thanksgiving for the gift of a Child. In this service, you thank God for the gift of your child and the child is blessed. You do not make the same
promises as in the service.
If you choose to have a thanksgiving , you may also have a baptism service for your child at a later date.

What do I do now?