Baptism
Baptism


Many people feel the need to mark the birth of a child with a church service and often they think at first that service should be a baptism. However a baptism is not always the appropriate service to hold. There are two services that the church offers to people who wish to mark the birth of a child. The one you chose will depend largely on your own christian faith and what you are prepared to declare publicly.
BAPTISM (SOMETIMES CALLED CHRISTENING)

A baptism service is a service to welcome someone into the church and to mark the start of his or her christian journey. It often happens shortly after birth, but can happen at any point in a person’s life and sometimes those who have not been baptised as children are baptised as adults. We all have many steps to take on the journey of life and baptism is the first step where we respond to the love which God shows us. We believe it to be a joyful moment for all participants in the service; not only for the candidates, the parents and the godparents but also friends and relatives invited to witness the baptism.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GIFT OF A CHILD

A thanksgiving service is a special celebration, which gives the opportunity to come to church and thank God for the birth of your child and to ask his blessing for the future. It differs from a Baptism in that it does not ask for a public commitment to the christian faith.

Please contact us for further information regarding a Baptism or Thanksgiving service using the email address stjohnsofficehh@gmail.com. Where it will be forwarded to the Baptisms Booking secretary.
Baptisms are held on the 1st, 3rd and, when applicable 5th Sunday of each month at 12.00 and are usually for one family only. There are no baptisms in August and December.
You will need to attend a Baptism Preparation meeting where everything about the service is explained. You will also need to attend a minimum of two Sunday services prior to the baptism date. Baptism Preparation meetings are held 3 or 4 times per year.
On completion and return of the Baptism Application form a provisional date for the baptism can be agreed, prior to the attendance at the Baptism Preparation meeting. However please note that all parents and God parents must be baptized, and there should be no more than 4 God parents.

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