When a new baby arrives.... families and friends want to celebrate the miracle of a new life, and so they should. Very often they also wish to bring their new child to church to be baptised - or as it often called "Christened" - and it is right that they should give thanks to God for the gift of a new life. But Baptism is very much more than giving thanks and publicly giving baby its name.
So what is Baptism? Baptism is the point at which any individual, adult or child, becomes part of the Christian Church. When an adult is baptized it is a point of declaration of belief and a commitment to a life of faith and service in the church of Jesus Christ . Young children obviously cannot make that commitment so parents take vows before God on their behalf that they will -
"teach their child the love of God and that they will bring their child up in the life and worship of the church"
so that in due course, and of his or her own free will, their child will confirm the promises made on her or his behalf at Baptism and make a personal commitment of faith. Keeping these promises requires effort on the parents part. It means being a part of the life and worship of a church and bringing the child up as part of that church life. Baptism without this is largely meaningless.
Who comes to a Baptism service? Normally this is an occasion for immediate family and close friends and those who have agreed to take on the responsibility of being a godparent.
When? Baptisms and Blessings are usually held as part of a worship service on a Sunday morning by arrangement with the
Minister
Whatever you decide, either Baptism or Blessing, please contact the Minister so that he can set up a suitable time to visit you.
Unfortunately we are only able to perform services of baptism for those who either live in Thornton Hough, Raby or Raby Mere, or who attend worship at St George's regularly, or who have a significant contact with the church, for example those who were married at St George's United Reformed Church. Whatever you decide, either Baptism or Blessing, please contact the Minister so that he can set up a suitable time to visit you.