Baptisms
It is an absolute joy to be asked to conduct Baptisms for babies - and adults - at St. Mary's, welcoming new members into the family of the church.
Holy Baptism is a milestone in a person’s life, as we welcome, with words of promise and encouragement, a new member into the family of the Christian church. Baptism is a sign that someone belongs to Christ, that is why it is often called Christening. When we are baptised, God receives us as his own child; all Christians become our brothers and sisters and we are reminded of how precious we are in God’s eyes. Baptism is a sacrament: an outward action that represents deep, inner beliefs.
GODPARENTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE!
Being asked to be a godparent is such a privilege. They are not just special on the day but special for your child’s life. Those who are chosen always speak about it as an honour.
They will make promises to and for their godchild during the service, including the promise to pray for and be a good role model, encouraging their godchild to grow in faith and live their life in a Christian way. For this reason, a godparent must be baptized themselves.
As we cannot do a HOME VISIT we are arranging to ‘meet’ families for a short chat via Zoom, around 10 days before the service. This invitation is extended to include godparents.
THE BAPTISM ITSELF.
The good news is that each Christening Service will be for one family only and their guests.
We would normally gather the christening party around the font and invite any children to come and sit on the carpet, so that they are able to see. None of this can happen now.
Everyone must stay in their seat and only parents come to the font with their child. The Vicar is not permitted to make physical contact for the baptism, so we use a lovely mother of pearl shell to pour holy water from the font on the forehead. Babies are held by a parent. Older children stand on a stool, supported by a parent.
We cannot make the sign of the cross on the forehead using holy oil, but we invite parents to do so with the water.
The candle, in its box, is given to a parent.
Certificates and other documentation will be prepared several days before the service and packaged.
We will email you a personalised Order of Service in advance, for parents and godparents to look at. You may wish to print these off for yourselves.
The service will last about 30 minutes.
We are determined that the restrictions will not remove the absolute joy and celebration that marks this very special occasion!
IN THE SERVICE, WE USE 3 SYMBOLS to help us express those beliefs.
· We bless water for the font and pour it on the forehead, as a symbol of cleansing and new life in the Christian family.
· With holy oil, we make the sign of the cross on the forehead, the badge, the symbol of Jesus’s love.
· We give a lighted candle, a reminder that Jesus, the Light of the World, shows us the way, even when the path of life is difficult.
Well, coronavirus has made things a little difficult and all church services now look and feel a little different.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A BAPTISM
REGULATIONS WE MUST CURRENTLY FOLLOW AMID COVID-19 REGULATIONS
Limit is 30 people, including children.
Masks to be worn. (The minister may remove theirs when speaking.)
We have socially distanced and taped the church building - it's still 2 metres for churches.
However, family bubbles can sit together if you let us know the ‘bubble membership’.
We ask you to send a list of attendees - names and contact numbers - a week prior to the service, via email. This will serve as Track and Trace but will also enable us to seat people in their bubbles on the day. These details are destroyed 2 weeks after the service.
There is hand sanitiser on entry (and spare masks). People entering the church have been fantastic and socially distanced outside as they arrive, which is so helpful for the welcomers.
There are no service sheets.
The toilet is not in use.
Please ask your guests to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the service.
Parking is round the back on Ellenbrook Road.
BOOKING
When you have made your initial enquiry, we will discuss dates and times with you. Essentially though, 1st or 3rd weekends in the month are what would be available.
We hope this answer some of your questions.
God bless you. Vicar Karen and ALM Carol. X
WATER is blessed in the font and poured over the head.
With holy oil, the sign of the cross is made on the forehead, like a permanent badge, the symbol of Jesus’s love.
BAPTISM is a sacrament: an outward action that represents deep, inner beliefs and we use SYMBOLS to express those beliefs.
A LIGHTED CANDLE is given, a reminder that Jesus, the Light of the World, shows us the way, even when the path of life is difficult.
