Your service of Baptism in our Churches
Quick Navigation:
What happens in a Baptism service
What happens after a Baptism service FAQs
Symbols employed in a Baptism Shouldn't our children make their own decisions
History: When did Baptism start Thanksgiving
The role of Godparents
Making decisions and promises
​For your child, baptism: marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from the darkness of self-centredness, turning toward Christ, and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.
Baptism is a ‘sacrament’: a visible sign of God’s love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging his love. We are acknowledging that we all need to turn away from the darkness of evil, and to make a new start with God. Many other symbols will be employed during the service.
What happens in a Baptism Service
​
Your child’s baptism will normally take place on a Sunday. If you are a member of our churches, the baptism will normally occur during the main Sunday morning Eucharist service, to emphasise how your child can be seen as joining the family of the Church and be welcomed into its membership.
We will make sure you know where to sit and when you need to move. Some parts of the service will be for the whole congregation to join in, some will be for you, and others for the godparents.
For the baptism itself, parents and godparents will be asked by the priest to gather together at the front of the church, around the font. (The font is a large basin on a stone pedestal, containing the water for baptism.) Many symbols will be employed during the service.
The priest will ask the godparents and parents to make declarations on behalf of the child.
​
What happens after the Baptism Service
​
Baptism marks the start for your child, as a member of the worldwide Christian community. In turn, the Church welcomes you and your child and promises to support you in brining up the child in the faith. Children are welcome at all our services.
You may also have questions yourself about the Christian faith – ask and we’ll be delighted to speak with you. The Churches in the Ashton team also hosts occasional discussion groups for newcomers and those enquiring whether they should join the church.
We hope your baby’s baptism will be a wonderful and memorable occasion, and that it will mark the beginning of a long and happy association with our churches.
​
.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions
​
What’s the difference between a baptism and a christening?
​
None whatsoever. They are simply different words for the same thing.
​​
What is the right age for baptism?
​
Baptism can occur at any age. What matters is that those concerned believe it is right to ask for baptism.
Teenagers and adults may also be baptised – speak to us about this. The Bishop often celebrates this with confirmation. You can only be baptised once, but there are ways of renewing your commitment publicly as an adult – our priest will be able to advise
.
I’m not a regular churchgoer: can I still have my children baptised?
​
Yes. The Church of England believes that God’s love is available to all, regardless of their background. Our parish priest can talk you through the options: you may prefer to have a Thanksgiving service first, and then consider a baptism when you have had time to talk through what is being asked of you.
​​
What does it cost?
​
We do not charge for a baptism. We therefore ask for donations at the end of the baptism service.
​​
How do I arrange a baptism?
​
Please start by contacting us and tell us you would like a baptism.
Whenever possible, we ask the parents and godparents to attend a short interview (either in the church or in your own home). The interview will happen between a fortnight and a week before the baptism service takes place.
The interview has three purposes: it allows us to explain the baptism service and its symbolism; and you can ask us more questions if you want to. This interview usually lasts about 30 minutes.
Before coming to the interview we ask you to complete a simple form. If you prefer, download a copy here Baptism Form and bring it with you.
​
​
.
The sign of the Cross
​
At baptism, the priest makes the sign of the cross on your child’s forehead. This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to stand up for their faith in him.
The priest says: “Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of the cross. Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.” The priest may invite you and the godparents to sign the cross on your child’s forehead after she has done so, or to sign themselves as well.
​
Water
​
The priest will then pour water on your child’s head. Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. The water used in baptism is ‘normal’ water, except it has been blessed (usually during the service of baptism). In baptism, the water is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with Christ.
Water is a sign of life, but also a symbol of death. When we are baptised, our old life is buried in the waters (like drowning) and we are raised to new life with Christ.
Anointing
​
After baptism in water, the priest anoints the candidate with oil. This is a sign of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.
The priest says: “May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his grace, that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people, you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.”
The welcome
​
The church congregation will say some formal words to acknowledge that your child has joined the Church, and to show how pleased they are to have them among us.
Candles
​
Jesus is called ‘the light of the world.’ A large candle is lit at the front of the church just before the baptism service starts. At the end of the service, a smaller candle is lit from it as a reminder of the light that has come into your child’s life. It is up to you, the child’s godparents, and the church community, to help your child reject the world of darkness and follow a way of life that reflects goodness and light, and shares the light with others.
​
Shouldn't our children make their own decisions?
Some people worry that they are imposing views on their children; but from the moment they are born, you make choices on their behalf. You don’t wait until they are old enough to ask for milk before you feed them and, in the same way, it is right to give them spiritual nourishment and teach them about the love of God from an early age.
When they are old enough, they may choose to be confirmed and make an adult affirmation of faith.
However, you may wish to talk over any doubts and concerns you have with us. Just click here to obtain our contact details.
Baptism is a gift from God. We believe it is the Church’s duty to offer this wonderful gift to everyone who asks for Christian baptism, regardless of age, gender, background, income, or state of health.
We welcome family baptisms as well as individuals. These brothers and sister (pictured) were baptised on the same day in April 2012. Their ages range from teenage to toddler.
Thanksgiving
​
You may wish to ask about having a service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. In this service, you may thank God for the gift of your child and the child is blessed. You may not make the same promises as in the Baptism service.
If you choose to have a Thanksgiving, you may also have a Baptism service for your child at a later date. Please contact us if you would to discuss a thanksgiving service.
Historically, when did baptism start?
Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan. This was a turning point in his life (you can read the story in the Bible at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel in the New Testament).
Jesus told his followers to baptise others as a sign that they had turned away from their old life, and begun a new life as Christ’s disciples, members of his Body, having been assured of God’s forgiveness.
In the early years of the Church, baptisms often took in a river: new Christians were dipped under the water, marking their death to an old way of life, and lifted up again as a sign of new birth. Some churches still follow the practice of ‘full immersion’ in water. In Ashton, we do not practice full immersion.
(07854) 776 410
The role of Godparents
​
What is a godparent?
​
Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptised as do the parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child, and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. Being a godparent is an important and responsible role.
​
How many godparents should I have?
​
You can have as many as you like (within reason!) You should have a minimum of three: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Parents can also be godparents.
​
Who should I choose to be a godparent?
​
Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an active interest in your child’s spiritual welfare, and will pray for you and the child. Although clearly desirable, it is not at all essential that the godparent actually attends the baptism service. The major part of the godparent’s role occurs in the long years after the baptism, before the child reaches an age when he/she can make choices for him/herself.
They should themselves be baptised.
Making decisions and promises
The decision to come for baptism has consequences. An adult seeking baptism will be asked to state publicly that they wish to follow Jesus.
A young child clearly cannot make a commitment of the same type. So when you bring your child for baptism, you and the godparents will be asked to declare publicly on the child’s behalf a belief in God. You will also promise to bring up your child as a Christian i.e. that you will teach the child by your example to follow Jesus.
You will be asked to answer, on your child’s behalf, whether you have decided to turn away from everything that is evil or sinful, and to turn instead to God. The declarations made by you and the child’s godparents will be made in front of the church congregation. The Christian community will promise to support you and to pray for you and your child.
The Declarations
​
During the service, you will be asked to make the following declarations:
Priest: “Do you reject the devil and all that is rebellion against God?”
Parents and godparents: “I reject them.”
Priest: “Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?”
Parents and godparents: “I renounce them.”
Priest: “Do you repent of your sins that separate us from God and neighbour?”
Parents and godparents: “I repent of them.”
Priest: “Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?”
Parents and godparents: “I turn to Christ.”
Priest: “Do you submit to Christ as Lord?”
Parents and godparents: “I reject them.”
Priest: “Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?”
Parents and godparents: “I come to Christ.”