Baptisms and Thanksgivings.
Celebrating the birth of a child or making a promise to follow Jesus when you are older by having a baptism is an amazing thing to do with your family, friends, and the church community supporting you.
Here at St Mary’s, we welcome anyone for baptism whether adult or child; sometimes people call this a Christening especially for children, but it is the same thing. It is a chance to publicly respond to God’s love for us all and show a commitment to respond to God’s call to follow the example of Jesus. Baptism is a celebration, a time to come together with family and friends; to remember that you are loved by God, are part of a wider community, and have a place within God’s people.
During a baptism, special promises are made to God, a sign of a cross is made on the forehead in oil and then you are baptised with water. It all represents your new life with God and becoming part of God’s worldwide family.
Some families prefer to have a thanksgiving ceremony for a child instead of a baptism. This is an opportunity to give thanks to God for your child and make some special promises as a family to follow the example of Jesus.
Baptisms and thanksgivings are conducted during the Sunday service at 9.30am.
To talk about arranging a baptism or thanksgiving, please contact the Parish Office.