Baptism at St George's church
We will be delighted if you wish to have your child baptised at St. George’s. This page is designed to give information and answer your questions and to raise others you may wish to ask.
Some of the church's new thinking may involve a different approach to baptism than the one you may have experienced with any older children you may have, or baptisms you have attended elsewhere.
Who can be baptised?
Anyone who has not been baptised already. It is a symbol of God’s unconditional love for the baptised so there are no bars to your child whether you are married or partners, divorced or separated, a single parent or an adopting couple ; whether you have great faith or little, attend church regularly or never; whether you are gay or straight, God loves you and your child!
Do we have to fulfil any requirements?
Some churches demand that families attend church services for a number of weeks or months before they will even talk about baptism, others expect parents to be baptised, still others insist on parenting skills courses or attending an ‘Alpha’ course on discipleship.
Some of these are good things in their own right, but not as conditions that have to be met in order for baptism to take place. All we hope is that you will respond to God’s love shown in the ceremony, and we will support you in that if that would help you.
We do not make any conditions such as those outlined above BUT ...
Are there any charges for baptism?
No, there are none. There will be the usual collection as part of the service. If anyone wishes to make a donation we are grateful for that, but do not expect it .
Do I have to get anyone else’s permission?
- If you are a single parent, the permission of the other parent must be sought. Talk about this with the rector when he calls.
- If you live in another parish but, for good reason, want your child baptised at St. George’s, you will have to write to inform your local Parish Priest, with a copy to the rector.
- “Good reasons” might include: Pontesbury is where you were married, where your family home is, where you worship regularly.
- Ideally baptism should take place in the parish in which you live so that the church community there can care and pray for you as a family.
What’s involved in the service?
Parents and God parents are asked the following questions:
Parents and godparents, the Church receives these children with joy. Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith. Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?:
They reply: With the help of God, we will.
In baptism these children begin their journey in faith. You speak for them today. Will you care for them, and help them to take their place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
They reply: With the help of God, we will.
In answering these two questions you pledge your support of the child in seeking the way of faith, and at The Decision, parents and God parents are asked:
Do you turn to Christ?
They reply: I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
They reply: I repent of my sins.
Do you renounce wrongdoing?
They reply: I renounce wrongdoing.
These replies signify the direction in which you are facing and the road along which you wish to travel and lead those being baptised. It does not mean that you know everything about Jesus Christ, faith and life - none of us can claim that! It does not mean that you will never sin again – sadly we all do that; but it does mean that you are resolute in asking God’s help as you stand against all that is wrong in your life and in the world.
A lighted candle is given usually to the child’s father, but an older sibling or a God parent might be more appropriate depending on circumstances.
The rector will try to hold the baby after the baptism, through the signing with the cross and the giving of the candle so that he can carry the child up the aisle to be welcomed at 'The Peace', however, if this distresses the child, he will hand him / her back to mum!
How will the church’s support be shown?
We will invite you to our new “Little Dragons” group which opened on 12th September 2006 and takes place during school term time. This group is for the Under 5's and their carers.
Members of the baptism support group will keep in touch
You will be welcomed at any service in church with your child / children, especially at the All Age Informal family Worship. Details of dates will be in The Parish News.
The rector is always available to you should you want to talk with someone confidentially about any matter at all.
We’re not sure that we want to have our child baptised, but we would like a ceremony where we can say “Thank You” for his / her arrival and mark this important event in our family. What should we do?
Talk with the rector who can tell you about services of Thanksgiving for the birth of a child.
What’s the process from here?
Contact the rector, he will send you all the information needed and a list of possible dates. If, after reading this, you wish to proceed, send back the enclosed form, and phone the rector so that he can arrange to visit you at home.
Rev. David Hewlett
Rector of Pontesbury I & II
The Deanery,
Pontesbury, Shrops.
SY5 0PS
Tel: 01743-792221
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