Baptism 

We are glad if you are thinking about Baptism. Baptism marks the beginning of our journey in the Christian Faith. It gives us the chance to say Yes to the love God shows us in Jesus in dying and rising again for us. Baptism isn’t something we do for God: it proclaims what he does for us. The water of Baptism symbolises rebirth, cleansing and passing through the deep darkness of death in order to rise again with Jesus.

 Who can be baptised ? 

The Church baptises those who accept the Christian Faith and promise to live by it. You can be baptised at any age. It is never too late. If you are baptised as a baby or small child, your parents and godparents answer for you and make promises on your behalf. When you are older you claim these promises for yourself when you are confirmed. At Confirmation you become a full member of the Church and can receive Holy Communion. Until then, your Baptism is provisional, waiting to be confirmed.

 Too old to be baptised ?

If you are older, and want to be baptised, the Bishop will baptise you at the same time as he confirms you. Baptism is not normally offered to those who are able to answer for themselves unless they are being confirmed as well.

Godparents 

Godparents help parents by promising to do their best to bring up their godchild in the Christian Faith. But you can’t make a promise on some one else’s behalf unless you are prepared to keep it yourself. So godparents need to be baptised Christians. At least one of them must also be confirmed.

 Keeping promises

Making promises only works if you intend to keep them. To do this we need to get to grips with what the Christian Faith is about. That’s why we ask enquirers to come along to Church and learn for themselves about what it means to belong to the family of Christ.

 I don’t think I can do that !

We need God’s help to learn to love him and serve him. Some people don’t want to make promises they feel they can’t keep. We respect that. But we don’t want them to feel that God has nothing to offer them. That’s why we also offer a Service of Thanksgiving instead of Baptism to say Thankyou to God for the birth of a child. It doesn’t involve any commitment. Baptism can follow later. Please ask if you would like to know more.

 Still unconvinced ? 

Even after finding out about the Christian Faith, you may still not feel able to go for Baptism or Thanksgiving. That’s fine too. Putting it off doesn’t mean we can’t do it later. God doesn’t love you any the less. It is better to be honest about your doubts than dishonest about your faith. 

Getting going 

We can describe the Christian Faith, but the best way to discover more is to see for yourself! Christ Church is open for worship every day of the year. Sunday is the most important day of the week for Christians, as Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. Our main service – the Eucharist – is at 10:00. Please come and join us. Say hello if you are new.

What next ? 

Except in an emergency, there is no rush. We take everyone’s Baptism seriously, so we are prepared to wait until you have had a chance to find out what living the Christian Faith involves, and whether or not it’s something you want to sign up for. We will do our best to explain things to you – just as someone had to explain them to us! - so as to prepare you for a one-off event that can never be repeated. It’s a bit like getting married, only the other half is God. In Baptism he gives us the chance to make a fresh start and a new beginning.

 Thankyou for reading all this!

May God bless you and those whom you love.

Christ Church Fenton Christ Church Fenton Christ Church Fenton Christ Church Fenton