YOUR CHILD'S CHRISTENING AT ST ANDREW'S

Why would I want my child to be christened?

'Christenings' are a long-established part of English tradition but, more importantly, Christian ceremonies celebrated across the world. Baptising a child means several things.

• It celebrates the birth and life of the child
• It allows the people who will be closest to the child as s/he grows up to make a public commitment to the child's welfare.
• It connects the life of the child to the life of Jesus.
• It makes the child a member of the Christian Church

The Church sees baptism as the start of a life-long journey of faith. It is an exciting new beginning, for child as well as parents!

Can my child be christened at St Andrew's?

The simple answer is 'yes'! There is no minimum or maximum age, and you do not have to live in the village. The only cautions are:

• Older children (i.e. those no longer babies) should be able to express an opinion about whether baptism is something they want.
• Where parents are separated, it is best if both mother and father agree that baptism is what they want for the child.
• Where parents are members of another Christian denomination, we ask them to consider carefully whether baptising their child here would cause difficulties with that denomination.

As a matter of professional courtesy, if you live outside the parish of Whissendine we usually inform the parish priest of the church where you live. However, this would only be done with your consent.

What if I don't come to church?

We believe that baptism is a sign of God's love for a child. The fact that parents might be infrequent attenders at church is not a reason to deny their child baptism. Any child can be baptised here.

If you are a parent who does not claim to have a Christian faith, however, it is worth thinking seriously about what baptism means. There may be other ways in which this church can help you celebrate (see below). It is possible you may find one of these other options closer to what you want to express about your child's birth and life.

Ultimately, however, the choice is your's. We will fully support your choice once you have made it.

What are the other options?

Baptism is a ceremony in which children are become members of the Christian church. Some parents would rather let children decide for themselves, when they grow older, whether this is something they want to be.

During a baptism service, parents and godparents have to make promises that they will be examples of a Christian life and help the child grow up in the Christian faith. Not every parent is sure they can honestly make such promises.

If you are unsure that baptism is the right thing for your child, then we can offer other services which allow your child to make up his or her own mind, and do not require you to make promises you can't keep.

Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child is a service which expresses the gratitude parents feel for their child's life. It says many of the same things as a baptism service, but does not imply that those present are necessarily Christian believers themselves.

We can also work with parents to create more individual prayers and simple ceremonies, to express what you want to say in a very personal way. These could take place in the church, in your home, or somewhere else that is special to you. Please enquire further if you think this might be what you want.

When can the christening take place?

We try to be as flexible as we can in arranging the date of your child's baptism. Obviously, the more notice you can give us, the more flexible we can be.

Because baptism is the occasion on which a child becomes a member of the Christian church, we normally prefer to baptise during the main Sunday service at St Andrew's (starts 11 a.m.), so the church can welcome your child properly. However, if you think this might be unsuitable for you, please don't be put off. We are also happy to discuss christening your child in a 'stand-alone' ceremony, at a time to suit you.

What happens in the service?

The Baptism service centres on three main symbols:

The sign of the Cross - the Christian Church's 'badge of membership' is marked in oil on the child's forehead. This shows the child is chosen and marked out by God.

Water - poured over the child's head at the font to symbolise the washing away of evil and a new life given by Christ.

Light - a candle is lit and given to the parents on behalf of the child. This symbolises the Light of Christ, guiding and protecting the child.

In addition to these symbols, there will be a Bible reading and a chance to pray for your child and all those involved with his / her care.

It's not as complicated as it sounds. All should be clear on the day!

What should we wear?

There are no particular requirements. Many parents like the old custom of dressing their child in a white christening gown, but it is entirely your choice. Older children may well object strongly to the traditional gown!

Equally, while many guests like to dress up for the service it is, once again, your choice. The baptism party at a Sunday service is usually rather more smartly dressed than our regular congregation!

Can anyone be a godparent?

There are two important things to consider when you choose who you want to be your child's godparents?

Will they be there to support your child in the long term?
The best godparents are very special people. They take an interest in their godchildren as they grow up, form a lasting relationship with them, pray for them regularly, and are supportive of the parents. Is the person you are thinking of likely to offer this kind of long-term commitment?

Can they make the godparents' promises in good conscience?
The baptism service requires godparents to make promises to support your child's growth in the Christian faith. Specifically, godparents are asked to affirm that they themselves 'turn to Christ as Saviour' and 'submit to Christ as Lord'. The people you chose as godparents need to be able to make these statements without feeling they are promising things they don't actually believe. It is important to speak to prospective godparents properly, and make sure they are aware of what the role entails.

How many godparents should we have?
It is traditional for boys to have two godmothers and one godfather, and for girls to have two godfathers and one godmother. However, there is no reason why you can't do things differently. It is more important to choose the right people than to have the 'correct' number of men and women.

How much does it cost?

Baptisms and the other options mentioned in this leaflet are free. If you feel you want to make a donation to the church, it will be gratefully accepted, but there is no compulsion to do so.

How do we arrange a christening?

Just get in touch! Click here to send an e-mail.