Baptism is the rite of initiation into the Christian church, and our most significant symbol of commitment to being a disciple of Jesus throughout our lives. Many people use the word ‘christening’ to describe this service, though christening is more properly used to describe a naming service that accompanies the baptism of children in some churches.
Baptism involves a service of prayer and praise, in which those who are going to be baptised make promises about their intention to follow Jesus and are then immersed in (or sprinkled with) water. As the words of the baptism service say:
“Baptism with water signifies the cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible, and the new life that God gives us through the Holy Spirit. In baptism, the promises of God are visibly signed and sealed for us. We are joined to Christ, and made members of his body, the Church universal.”
As an Anglican church, we baptise both adults who wish to affirm their faith and also the children of believers. Regarding children, the baptism service says:
“Children are baptised in response to God’s all-embracing love. Parents and godparents who have responded to that love come now to bring their child for baptism. Before this congregation they must express their own trust and commitment to the promises of God, and their intention to bring up their child in the faith and practice of the Church.”
If you would like to get baptised or have your child baptised, please contact our office. We can then setup a meeting with our minister who will explore with you the meaning of baptism and your reasons for seeking it for yourself or your child. We normally expect those seeking baptism to attend one of our services a few times to get a sense of what our church is like.