Baptism
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the difference between a baptism and a christening?
A. None, they are just different words for the same thing.
Q. Can we have a private service of baptism?
A. Baptisms take place in one of the church's main services, because they are a public declaration that your child has become part of the church family. It is important that the church congregation is there to support you and welcome your child.
Q. What is the right age for baptism?
A. Baptism can happen at any age. What matters is that those concerned believe it is right to ask for baptism.
Teenagers and adults may also be baptized – speak to the minister about this. You can only be baptized once, but there are ways of renewing your commitment publicly as an adult - the minister will be able to advise.
Q. I'm not a regular churchgoer. Can I still have my child baptized?
A. Yes. The Church believes that God's love is available to all, regardless of their background. We can talk you through the options: you may prefer to have a Thanksgiving service first and then consider baptism when you have had time to talk through what is being asked of you.
You may also wish to find out more about the Christian faith and what joining the Church involves before you make a decision about baptism. Again, we can give you guidance.
Q. What does it cost?
A. The Baptism service is free. There will be a collection during the service.
Godparents
Q. What is a godparent?
A. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. It is an important and responsible role.
Q. How many godparents should I have?
A. We don’t have any ideal number, although most people have between two and six. Each person baptised also has a Church Godparent who keeps in touch with them and is a link between the family and the congregation.
Q. Who should I choose to be a godparent?
A. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child's welfare and who will pray for you and your child.
Q. Is there a minimum age for a godparent?
A. Godparents are usually at least sixteen years old. If there are family members or friends who would like to take part in the baptism, but are below this age, there are other ways of taking part. For example, they may pour the water into the Font during the service, or they may receive and hold a lit candle, given to the baby to represent Christ, the light of the world.
Q. What is the usual procedure leading up to baptism?
- Parents or guardians approach the Minister about Baptism.
- The Minister arranges to visit them, either in their own home or at Church. They go through the Service together, looking particularly at the promises made by parents and godparents.
The Minister gives them a copy of All This For You - the meaning of Baptism in the Methodist Church.
All This for You is a pocket-sized book for people who want to think about the meaning of Baptism in the Methodist Church. Using vivid images and inspiring prose, it opens up the depths of meaning contained in the signs and symbols of the Methodist Church's Baptism Service- If the parents still wish their child(ren) to be baptised, a date is set.
- The parents meet with the Minister at the Church to see where it will happen and talk through the service.
- The Baptismal Secretary makes contact nearer the time, to tell them who the Church Godparent will be, and to answer any queries that have arisen.
- The Church Sponsor visits the family, usually in the week before the Baptism.
- The family are asked to arrive about a quarter of an hour before the service begins.
Q. What happens after the baptism?
A. Baptism marks a new start for your child, as a member of the worldwide Christian community. In turn, the Church welcomes you and your child and promises to support you in bringing the child up in the faith.
Children are welcome at any of our services, especially on Sunday mornings, when a crèche is available.
We have an annual service for families of those who have been baptised in the previous few years. On Christmas Eve there is a Crib Service at 3.30pm which is aimed at young children, their parents and grandparents.
Our Toddler group meets each Monday morning in school term-time, from 9.30 to 11.00am.
Guidance about baptisms from the Methodist Church
http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentolife.content&cmid=1564