St Paul's Church Marton

Baptism

Baptism at St Paul's. Information for parents and families

Why Baptism?

Some things people say:

Have a chat with one of the clergy or a lay member, about whether Baptism is what you are really looking for.

There must be something more?

God loves us! Christians believe: In Baptism (at Christening) a child or adult becomes a member of the Christian Family and more fully a child of God.

What will happen?

During the service you as Parents and Godparents will be asked to: Promise for yourself and your child to follow a Christian way of life in the way Jesus shows us in the bible.  

You will also promise to bring up your child as a follower of Jesus, and by your example and support to help him/her to learn to pray, come to Church regularly and read the bible.  

Your promises will be strengthened through the ancient traditional symbols of the Church: the pouring of water; signing with the Cross in special oils blessed by the Bishop; the giving and receiving of a lighted candle. All this is to help us know and accept for ourselves the growing presence and light of Jesus in our lives and world.

When?

Baptism takes place, every Second and Fourth Sunday, each month at 12.45pm (except in the period just before Easter). Sometimes it is possible to have a Baptism at 11.15am in the Holy Communion Service.

All Families throughout the parish have a right to use St. Paul's. It is your parish church. You must live within the Parish Boundary to have a baptism in St. Paul's or special written permission from your own Parish Priest. Those are the Church of England Rules.

How do I arrange a Baptism?

Importantly, you must be a resident in the parish of St. Paul’s.  The parish boundaries are slightly complicated so please contact the office for advice to see if your house falls within our parish. (this is a strict Church of England rule). If you are a regular worshiper at St. Paul’s and so appear on the church electoral role you do not have to live within the parish boundary to have a baptism at St. Paul’s. It may also be possible to obtain permission from your own parish priest to have your Baptism at St. Paul’s. (speak to your own parish church in the first instance in this case)

 When you come to book a date, see church opening hours, we will ask you to come to Church (with Godparents) for three Sundays before the Baptism. We would like you to come to the 11.15am Service. The 11.15 am Service is "All Age" where we encourage Adults to learn and interact with Children. You could come to the 9.30 service instead. WE encourage you to come up to receive bread and wine, or if you are not confirmed to come up and bring your child too, for a blessing. You must have your card signed before you leave the service, by one of the clergy. The Baptism will be cancelled and re-arranged if you do not come to the services as part of your preparation for the Baptism. To help you, one of the clergy or a Church member will come to visit you in your home at a prearranged time (Don't forget to have the kettle on!)

Will it cost anything?

No! But, we do encourage you to give a gift in thanksgiving for the gift of your child. A realistic gift would be £20-£30 in most families.

Why?…….

Because we believe it important to respond to God's love for us with generosity from the work of our own hands, by giving of our life in service, our hearts in worship and money from our pocket to help development of ministry in this vast parish of 25,000 people.

It is important, also to recognise that it costs large sums. (e.g. St Paul's Church alone, costs a minimum of £2,000 per week to keep open just for worship.) It is a community resource and we have to look to the community to help keep it open. We hope you will recognise and share in our work in the neighbourhood. By responding generously, you will help others to share the Hope and Joy of our Faith.

Solidarity in Faith

What if! We find we cannot make these promises?

Be honest and say so. Have a chat with the clergy and seek honestly the alternatives for you and your child e.g. a service of Thanksgiving for the safe delivery and birth.

Godparents:

Godparents are expected to be Confirmed (full members) of a Christian Church, but the Parish Priest has the discretion to allow people to be Godparents who are just baptised. However we insist that they must be Baptised and of the age of consent (18). Normally there are three Godparents, though two will do and we ask you not to have more than four.

And later on!

The Church will encourage your child. From the age of 10.5 years onwards to make the Baptism promises for themselves as they come before the Bishop for Confirmation.

You, yourself, may like to be Baptised and/or Confirmed as and adult, talk to one of the clergy about what it involves.

The church office is open on a Tuesday night after the service of Holy Communion in order to book baptism and weddings. 5.p.m - 7.p.m or weekdays at 9.30 a.m - 1.30 p.m

Telephone 01253 692047