Welcome

Services
Parish Diary
This month
From the Vicar
Funding theVision
Who's who
St Mary's
St Mary's Tour
St Mary's Choir
Baptisms
Confirmation
Weddings
Home Groups
St John's
Young People
Photo Album
Map
Links
Site Map

Baptism in The Church

Introduction

Baptism is a sign of God's love and His wish that children shall become, through faith in Jesus Christ, inheritors of eternal life. By baptism children become members of the Church of God. Because children are too young to profess faith themselves, promises are made on their behalf by parents and godparents. They declare their own faith, and their resolve to pass this on to the children, by teaching them, by praying with them, and by bringing them to church to share in worship, and grow up with other Christian children.

At Confirmation the child, by now at least 12 years old, declares his own belief in the Christian faith taught him by his parents and in the church. The Bishop asks God to give him help and strength as he becomes an adult and responsible Christian. Before Confirmation there is always a short course of instruction, and we have courses each autumn for teenagers, and for older people.

Parents

When parents who bring a child to Baptism have not themselves been confirmed, it means that they may not have been taught about Christianity since they were children. This is a weak foundation for their child's Christian teaching. We warmly invite such parents to come to the adult confirmation course in the next autumn session. This does not carry any obligation to be confirmed. When parents do not take part in Church life themselves, we expect them to choose Godparents who do (and are themselves confirmed).

Back to the top

Godparents

Godparents are friends chosen by parents to help bring up children in the Christian faith until they can make promises for themselves at the service of confirmation. The Church normally requires at least three godparents; two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex; parents can also be godparents. Godparents should be baptised and confirmed members of the Church.

The role of Godparents is to help parents bring up the child in the life of the church, by their example and the quality of life they lead. You can find out more to help them here.

Non Parishioners

Generally we believe a child who does not live in Walton should only be baptised here if his or her relatives are on the Church Electoral Roll, and worship regularly. Otherwise they should be baptised in their own parish Church.

Children in the Church

At a Baptism, parents undertake to bring their children up within the family of the Church. If your child is to be baptised, you will need to consider how you will keep the promises you will make. Where will you find help, strength and inspiration?

You will find a warm welcome at all of our services. Children are always welcome with their parents at services but I know from experience that there are times when this can seem uncomfortable to parents. There is a Sunday School at each Church happy to welcome children from the age of 3.

Back to the top

Baptism Services

St Mary's: 10.00a.m on the second Sunday of each month, except November, during the Holy Communion Service.
Parents and Godparents who do not normally come to this service are invited and urged to come on a previous Sunday, so that they feel at home on the baptism day.

St Mary's: 3.00p.m. on the last Sunday of most months (not December).

If you choose this service for your child's baptism, we warmly invite you and your child to come to the 10.00a.m. Family Communion Service on the following Sunday at St Mary's. At this service, which is full of children as well as adults, we want to welcome your child into the Church family.

St John's, 10.30a.m. on the third Sunday of most months (not December), during the Family Service.

Notes

All friends and family members who wish to take part in the service will be very welcome to join us.

Guests, particularly parents and godparents, are asked to be in Church at least 10 minutes before the start of the service.

Videos and cameras may not be used during the service, but you are welcome to take photographs in Church after the service.

Parish Office

Details

Back to the top

Welcome   |   Services  |   Parish Diary   |   This month   |  From the Vicar   |   Funding the Vision
Who's who   |  St Mary's   |  Tour   |  Choir   |  Baptisms   |  Confirmation   |  Weddings
Home Groups   |   St John's   |   Young People   |  Photo Album  |  Map   |  Links

Please e-mail us at editor@waltonparish.org.uk