Christenings (Infant Baptism)
We love to celebrate new life!
Christenings and dedications – they’re all about celebrating new life. It’s great to give thanks for a new arrival, and we also love the symbolism of new life in Baptism. In fact, you can be baptised at any age as a sign of turning to follow Jesus and living out an exciting life of following him. As baptism includes a welcome into the church family, we expect families to be part of our church community. We always do baptisms within our main church services so that we can give the child a huge welcome!
Thanksgiving
Some parents aren’t yet ready to make the baptism promises about turning to Christ and being known as his follower. A Thanksgiving or Dedication service can be a more appropriate way to gather family and friends to give thanks to God for this new life and pray for God’s blessing. Thanksgivings can be held at other times, aside from the main morning service and can be arranged more quickly without the same level of preparation. They can be an alternative or part of the preparation for a subsequent baptism.
The best way to begin the journey is to start joining us on Sundays, our 4pm service every term-time Sunday is particularly suitable for those with young children. Or you complete the form at the bottom of this page. We can talk to you about the next steps and how best to celebrate with you.
Godparents
It is important to have reliable and supportive friends and family who will journey with you as Godparents. As they are making promises with you, they ought to be baptised and practising Christians. Convention is to have three Godparents, but it’s up to you and the most important question is who will pray for and support your child as they grow.
It might be possible to have your child baptised at St Nicholas’ Thorney Island, if you are connected to that church through marriage or have lived on the island or served there as part of the armed forces. We understand that it might be difficult to attend any services there before applying, so please speak to the Padre.
Adult Baptism
If an adult wishes to be baptised, adult baptisms are usually by immersion. We often have adult baptisms at confirmation services (which is the time a person baptised as an infant professes their faith for themselves) or at St. John’s a few days before the confirmation. It is also possible as an adult to be confirmed through immersion. We love to do this so please speak to the minister after one of the services.
Confirmation
If you were baptised as a baby, you may have subsequently come to faith and decided that you want to declare you believe Jesus has done for you. Congratulations! Each year, the our local group of churches holds a Confirmation service where lots of people make the promises that were said for them as children, together with other adults.
Fees
Baptism is free, we do not charge for the service or for preparation meetings. However the certificate costs £13.
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