We want to welcome you and help you find the right kind of celebration
 

Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child

The birth or adoption of a child is a cause for celebration! In this service we give thanks for the miracle of life and ask for God’s blessing on your child.

The service of thanksgiving is perfect for:

• anyone who has read about the service of Christening and feels that it is not right for them, but still want to give thanks to God and have a prayer of blessing for their child.

• or parents who see this service as a preliminary to baptism.

• or parents who do not wish their children to be baptised immediately. 

Christening (also known as Baptism)

The Baptism of a child is a public commitment to bring the child up to know and love and serve the Lord Jesus, and share in regular worship at church. When an adult or older child is baptised, they declare before God and the regular congregation of the church that they believe in Jesus Christ. When a baby or young child is baptised, the parents and Godparents make these promises on behalf of the child.  Later, when older, the child may wish to say these promises for themselves at a service of Confirmation.

Because of the nature of the declarations and promises made in the baptism service, parents, and were possible, Godparents, must attend a preparation evening, where everything is explained.  You will also be invited to attend church, if you are not already doing so.  We aim to make this a welcoming, comfortable and enjoyable experience for you.

The role of Godparents is to speak on behalf of the infant being baptised during the baptism service and to support the parents in bringing the child up as a Christian within the family of the Church, so that that they will confess the faith for themselves and come in due time to confirmation. 
 

Services for Older Children and Adults

Adults and older children will make the baptismal declarations for themselves.  Therefore a longer, more detailed course of preparation is required.  We aim to make this relaxed and enjoyable as well as informative and faith deepening.

Please contact the priest in charge for information.

In an emergency, such as when a new born infant is very seriously ill, it is possible for people to be baptised anywhere.  Please contact the priest in charge or one of the wardens.

For more information on Thanksgiving for the birth of a child or Baptism of infants and young children, please contact Supo Ogunyinka.

For more information about baptism of an adult or older child please contact the priest in charge.