So You’d Like Your Child Baptised?

Ledsham with Fairburn Parish

Thank you for enquiring about having your child baptised (christened). We are very pleased to be able to help and the aim of this leaflet is to explain what we can offer you as part of the Church of England.

A Gift

A child is a wonderful gift from God and it’s right that we want to celebrate such a fantastic present. The Church of England offers two services to help you celebrate the life of your child. Both involve recognising that God has created a new life but the difference between the two is in the extent and depth of Christian commitment.

We see our role as being to explain what each service means and to help you decide, with integrity, which service is the most appropriate for you and your child.

Thanksgiving For the Gift of a Child

This is a service which may be included within the main act of worship on a Sunday, or may be a service all by itself. It is offered to:

†         Parents who see this as a preliminary to Baptism;

†         Parents who do not want their child to be baptised immediately;

†         Parent s who do not want their child baptised but who recognise that something has happened that they want to thank God for;

†         Parents who are unsure that they can make the promises required of them within the Baptism service.

The child is named during the service and receives a blessing alongside the thanksgiving.

Baptism

Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. Baptism is for those who want to publicly state their desire to bring up their child as a Christian. It therefore involves promises of commitment to Jesus and the Church. As well as the words of commitment, the child is named, water is poured over the child and prayers are said.  

As it is impossible for small children to live their lives in a Christian way without the help and support of their parents, the decision to have a child baptised should signify that the family is prepared to live out the promises made in Baptism in a committed and whole-hearted way. We ask you to consider seriously  the choice that you have. Baptism is for the children of parents who want to be practising Christians. In other words, it is for people who follow Jesus, accept his teaching and want to be regular, committed members of Christ’s Church.

What Do I Do Next?

We recommend that you take some time to think about the information in this leaflet and then contact one of the following people from the ministry team to arrange a visit to talk about things further:

Andy Robinson – Priest in Charge – 01977 553591 (andrewrobinson9@hotmail.com)

Julie Robinson – Lay Minister – 01977 -553591 (julieandshadow@yahoo.co.uk)

AND A LEAFLET FOR GODPARENTS

 Godparents’ guide

Ledsham with Fairburn Parish  

Why do we need godparents?

If you are thinking of having a child baptised in church (christened), you will need to find suitable godparents. People are often chosen as godparents because they are friends or relatives, without realising what godparents are for.

The reason for having godparents is because baptising a child involves making commitments on behalf of the child. The Baptism service is for those who want to publicly state their desire to bring up their child as a Christian. It therefore involves statements of faith and promises of commitment to Jesus and the Church. As well as the words of commitment, the child is named, water is poured over the child and prayers are said.

The godparents should therefore be people who are committed to the Christian faith who can support the family in their Christian upbringing of the child. It is essential that godparents must have been baptised themselves, and ideally they should also have been confirmed, or at least be regular churchgoers.

 What does being a godparent involve?

If a friend or a relative asks you to become a godparent you will probably feel very honoured. It’s natural to want to agree to the request. But first it’s best to ask yourself about the promises you will be required to make as part of the baptism service.  

At the baptism service you will be required to make the following answers to these serious questions:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

Answer: I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

Answer: I renounce them.

Do you repent of your sins?

Answer: I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as saviour?

Answer: I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

Answer: I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth, and the life?

Answer: I come to Christ . 

Everyone who becomes a godparent makes promises like these at the baptism service, but not everyone is made aware of this in advance. We even know of atheists who have become godparents! But we think that becoming a godparent is something which people should only do if they can make these promises with integrity.  

What Do I Do Next?

Being a godparent is an opportunity to play an important part in supporting a child’s upbringing as a Christian. If you are thinking about whether or not to become a godparent we recommend that you take some time to consider carefully the information in this leaflet. You may want to talk things over further with the person who has asked you to be a godparent. Alternatively, please contact one of the following people from the ministry team.  

Andy Robinson – Priest in Charge – 01977 553591 (andrewrobinson9@hotmail.com)

Julie Robinson – Lay Minister – 01977 -553591 (julieandshadow@yahoo.co.uk)