Some parents want to celebrate the arrival of a baby with a service in church where they thank God for their child, together with family and friends. At St Peter’s we are pleased to help families with this.
As part of the Church of England, we recognise two main services to celebrate the birth of a child:
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a wonderful service in which we say ‘thank you’ to God for the life of a child.
Prayers are said, the child is named and blessed, a Bible is given and sponsors or godparents are usually involved.
This is a way of openly celebrating a new addition to the family in church, and together we ask for God’s support, help and blessing.
Baptism
If you are a church member you may instead choose to have your child baptised.
Baptism is a lovely and important service for families who want to bring up their child as a follower of Jesus within the supportive family of the church, involving promises made to Jesus Christ and to church.
At baptism the child is immersed in water (or water is poured on the head) and prayers are said.
Baptism is the main mark of membership of church, and parents who have their child baptised promise to bring them up as a Christian – including coming regularly to church worship, encouraging their child to pray, and to read the bible.
Whilst the service is relaxed and welcoming, the words said are important and challenging. Because of this, some people want time to think this through.
At St Peter’s…
With all this in mind, we encourage families to first worship at one or more of our services. Most thanksgivings and baptisms are held as part of our family service at 9:30am on Sunday and so attending some of those services helps you and your child to familiarise yourselves with the environment.
For more information, please contact the Church Office.
