Baptism at Holy Trinity
Our Baptism Policy
This policy reflects our belief that baptism is the sacrament through which we become God’s adopted children and disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ. Recognising, this we must do all in our power to ensure that all who come to us for baptism are thoroughly prepared and understand its implications, whether they are the parents of children who are to be baptised or adults who wish to be baptised and confirmed themselves.
If you live in our parishes or worship regularly with us then it is usually possible to arrange for a baptism. Where you live outside the parish, you will be asked to get written permission from your local Vicar.
Church law requires that those chosen as Godparents must themselves be baptised, parents of children do not need to be baptised, but we strongly suggest that they are in order that they can properly support their child.
The Baptism of children
During a service of Baptism for a child we thank God for his gift of life and we pray for the child who at Baptism begins her/his own journey of faith but with the support of their parents, godparents and the Church itself. We also ask for God's blessing upon the child and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to anoint them, this is symbolised when the child is anointed with oil. We also pray that the Light of Christ will shine in and through them, the light of Christ is symbolised by the giving of a Baptismal candle, which is lit from the Paschal candle, this is a special candle which the Church lights for the first time at Easter and which represents Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and light of the world. In Baptism the child being baptised is washed clean from sin, this is symbolised by the pouring of water over the child's head. When anointed, the sign of the cross is made upon the child’s forehead as an invisible mark which will stay on the child for the rest of their life and it shows that the child now belongs to Jesus Christ.
Parents and Godparents play a central role in the Baptism of a child because they make promises on behalf of them. You and they will have to declare publicly your faith in God, that you renounce evil, turn from sin and intend to bring your child up to follow Jesus as Lord and Saviour. These promises are made before the entire congregation, and it is a good idea that you check that your chosen godparents feel able to make these promises and declarations before others in a public. You can read the promises and declarations here.
Godparents are normally two of the same gender as the child and one the opposite gender. They need to be baptised themselves and they not only need to be able to genuinely make the declarations and promises on behalf of the child, but they should also be people that you can rely on to take a genuine interest in your Child's spiritually, and in you and your child during life's ups and downs.
The whole congregation then promises to support you and your family in helping you bring up your child in the Christian faith, and to pray for you.
Some people also mistakenly think of Baptism as a thanksgiving service for the safe arrival of a new child, whereas it is actually an initiation rite into the Christian Church.
The Church now has a special service for the Thanksgiving of a Gift of a Child and this may be more appropriate in some cases and it may well be that Baptism follows at a later date.
Adult Baptism
Adult Baptism normally takes place when a person who has not been baptised or 'christened' as a child subsequently decides that they would like to be baptised. Baptism in this case marks their own personal turning from darkness to light, and their decision to follow Jesus Christ; Baptism as an adult is the first step of Christian Initiation and is very often followed by Confirmation.
Jesus Christ Himself was baptised, he asked John the Baptist to baptise Him in the river Jordan. When John pointed out that he was “not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals”.(Mark 1:7)Jesus insisted saying “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness
The main difference between Infant and Adult Baptism, is that adults make their own declarations and promises instead of godparents and parents. Adults normally have two sponsors who will act as prayer supporters and friends. They will often be more mature Christians who have played a significant part in their journey to faith.
The Baptism Service
Because Baptism is a service of initiation into the Christian Church it normally takes place during our Sunday morning Mass, which normally take place at 10am.
Alternatively you can arrange your Baptism as a standalone service which take place following our Sunday Mass The time of your service may vary according to the Vicars diary that day, but normally it will take place at 11:30am.
Full details of your Baptism service time will be provided with confirmation of your Baptism booking.
Whichever option you choose, we do also ask that you attend at least three Sunday Services in the Parish before your Baptism takes place in order for you to familiarise yourself with the Mass, this also helps us to get to know and support you. You will also be visited at home and you may be asked to attend a rehearsal before the day of the baptism. In either case Fr Paul will contact you to discuss your Baptism in the days leading up to the service itself.
As part of our preparation for the baptism we pray regularly for those who are to be baptised.
If you would like to know more about baptism or would like to speak to Fr Paul about Baptism please come to Holy Trinity Church at 10am on Saturday morning.
Our Baptism Policy
This policy reflects our belief that baptism is the sacrament through which we become God’s adopted children and disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ. Recognising, this we must do all in our power to ensure that all who come to us for baptism are thoroughly prepared and understand its implications, whether they are the parents of children who are to be baptised or adults who wish to be baptised and confirmed themselves.
If you live in our parishes or worship regularly with us then it is usually possible to arrange for a baptism. Where you live outside the parish, you will be asked to get written permission from your local Vicar.
Church law requires that those chosen as Godparents must themselves be baptised, parents of children do not need to be baptised, but we strongly suggest that they are in order that they can properly support their child.
The Baptism of children
During a service of Baptism for a child we thank God for his gift of life and we pray for the child who at Baptism begins her/his own journey of faith but with the support of their parents, godparents and the Church itself. We also ask for God's blessing upon the child and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to anoint them, this is symbolised when the child is anointed with oil. We also pray that the Light of Christ will shine in and through them, the light of Christ is symbolised by the giving of a Baptismal candle, which is lit from the Paschal candle, this is a special candle which the Church lights for the first time at Easter and which represents Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and light of the world. In Baptism the child being baptised is washed clean from sin, this is symbolised by the pouring of water over the child's head. When anointed, the sign of the cross is made upon the child’s forehead as an invisible mark which will stay on the child for the rest of their life and it shows that the child now belongs to Jesus Christ.
Parents and Godparents play a central role in the Baptism of a child because they make promises on behalf of them. You and they will have to declare publicly your faith in God, that you renounce evil, turn from sin and intend to bring your child up to follow Jesus as Lord and Saviour. These promises are made before the entire congregation, and it is a good idea that you check that your chosen godparents feel able to make these promises and declarations before others in a public. You can read the promises and declarations here.
Godparents are normally two of the same gender as the child and one the opposite gender. They need to be baptised themselves and they not only need to be able to genuinely make the declarations and promises on behalf of the child, but they should also be people that you can rely on to take a genuine interest in your Child's spiritually, and in you and your child during life's ups and downs.
The whole congregation then promises to support you and your family in helping you bring up your child in the Christian faith, and to pray for you.
Some people also mistakenly think of Baptism as a thanksgiving service for the safe arrival of a new child, whereas it is actually an initiation rite into the Christian Church.
The Church now has a special service for the Thanksgiving of a Gift of a Child and this may be more appropriate in some cases and it may well be that Baptism follows at a later date.
Adult Baptism
Adult Baptism normally takes place when a person who has not been baptised or 'christened' as a child subsequently decides that they would like to be baptised. Baptism in this case marks their own personal turning from darkness to light, and their decision to follow Jesus Christ; Baptism as an adult is the first step of Christian Initiation and is very often followed by Confirmation.
Jesus Christ Himself was baptised, he asked John the Baptist to baptise Him in the river Jordan. When John pointed out that he was “not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals”.(Mark 1:7)Jesus insisted saying “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness
The main difference between Infant and Adult Baptism, is that adults make their own declarations and promises instead of godparents and parents. Adults normally have two sponsors who will act as prayer supporters and friends. They will often be more mature Christians who have played a significant part in their journey to faith.
The Baptism Service
Because Baptism is a service of initiation into the Christian Church it normally takes place during our Sunday morning Mass, which normally take place at 10am.
Alternatively you can arrange your Baptism as a standalone service which take place following our Sunday Mass The time of your service may vary according to the Vicars diary that day, but normally it will take place at 11:30am.
Full details of your Baptism service time will be provided with confirmation of your Baptism booking.
Whichever option you choose, we do also ask that you attend at least three Sunday Services in the Parish before your Baptism takes place in order for you to familiarise yourself with the Mass, this also helps us to get to know and support you. You will also be visited at home and you may be asked to attend a rehearsal before the day of the baptism. In either case Fr Paul will contact you to discuss your Baptism in the days leading up to the service itself.
As part of our preparation for the baptism we pray regularly for those who are to be baptised.
If you would like to know more about baptism or would like to speak to Fr Paul about Baptism please come to Holy Trinity Church at 10am on Saturday morning.
