What is a christening?

During a christening service your child will be baptized with water. It’s the start of an amazing journey of faith for your child and a special day for all your friends and family. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. You want the very best for them, and so does God. You want them to make right choices in life, for themselves and for others. A christening is just the beginning of this and so much more. Over the years to come, it’s a journey you’ll share together with your child by:
  • Being there for your child to talk to about the bigger questions of life – questions about hope, faith and love
  • Praying for your child through the ups and downs of their faith journey
  • Showing them practically how to make those good choices in life
  • Helping them to learn more about their Christian faith, through their church and in other ways
So it’s a commitment to start as you mean to go on. If you would like to know more, the Church of England Christenings website offers lots of useful information. Or you can contact us and one of the clergy team will be in touch with you to talk about what christening means, not just on the day but long afterwards.

The role of Godparents

Church Law requires three godparents to be appointed. Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptised as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian 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. Parents can also be godparents. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child’s spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. They should be baptised themselves.

How do I apply for a christening?

Please contact the Benefice Administrator for an application form and to discuss possible dates and times for the service. Once you have returned this form, a member of the clergy team will be in touch with you to discuss a time and date for the baptism, and will arrange to visit you to talk through the service with you and welcome you into the Church.
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