Thanksgiving and Baptism |
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A Thanksgiving service is a way of thanking God for His gift of life, and asking for God’s blessing on your child as they start their journey of life. Infant baptism takes this decision one step further as parents and godparents are asked to promise to God that they will raise their child to know that God loves them, and to help them, as a member of the Church, to follow Jesus. Parents make promises to God on behalf of their child and ask for the church’s support as their child starts the journey of faith.
Bedworth Parish welcomes everyone who is interested in either service and provides a preparation to enable parents to make an informed decision.
Both the Thanksgivings and Baptisms take place at our 11 am service.
We’re delighted you’re thinking of a baptism or thanksgiving for your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. For more information about our thanksgiving or infant baptism services, please call the church office, or get in touch using the contact form below or pop along to one of our Sunday Services
What’s involved
If you wish to book a baptism then you need to make sure that you are free to attend the Baptism Preparation (along with your god-parents, unless they live too far away!). Also, we give the newly baptised a very special “welcome” at our Altogether Service on the third Sunday of the month after your baptism. At this service we present you with the Baptism Certificate and your child is presented to the congregation who promise to pray for him/her – and of course to make a fuss of her/him.
Godparents
Congratulations on being asked to be a godparent: they are very important people! We know that your friends or relations will have thought hard about this. They have chosen you to be a special person in their child’s life, someone who will offer encouragement, prayer and support for the child, and help them discover more about the Christian faith as they grow up.
What does being a godparent involve?
As a godparent you have a special role. It’s about helping a child to come to know God, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in their membership of the local church. You need to be at the Baptism where you will make promises to help bring them up in the Christian faith. It’s a role that will grow over time, as your godchild grows up and develops their own faith.
Is it a big responsibility?
It is. Have a look at the questions you will answer in the Baptism Service. Take some time to think through the commitments that you make when you answer them. But don’t forget that the church can support you in encouraging and praying for your godchild.
Do I have to be a regular churchgoer?
Being asked to be a godparent is a good opportunity to think about your own faith. Godparents must have been baptised themselves, and it’s best if you are also confirmed. Baptism or Confirmation preparation can help you with your own questions about the Christian faith. It will also help you support your godchild in their own faith. If you have any questions at all, why not speak to your local vicar or another Christian that you know.
For more on being a Godparent check out the Church of England website.
Some typical questions
My child is 5 – is that too old?
No. A person can be baptised at any age. When a child is old enough to understand what will happen at baptism then we prefer they become, or are already members of our Sunday School, before committing to baptism. That is because the promises made by parents and godparents at baptism are about helping the child to experience the Christian faith as s/he grows up. Encouraging your child to be an active member of our Sunday School is the most obvious way of you carrying out that promise and demonstrating how you will support your child as s/he grows up.
And adults – can they be baptised?
Yes. We welcome adults enquiring about being baptised. For an adult, baptism is a significant stage on our journey with God, because we recognise that God has reached out to us, and we want to show our love and commitment to him in response. Usually adults being baptised will be regular worshippers in our church. If you are thinking about taking this step of faith, please get in touch, and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.
Can I have a private baptism?
There is no such thing as private baptism – baptism is about belonging to the world-wide church, and all our baptisms occur during our church services.
How much does baptism cost?
Nothing. Baptisms and Thanksgivings are free. However, we do invite people to make a generous donation to our parish. Our two churches no money from the state to help with maintenance. Your generous offering (gift-aided if possible) helps to ensure the church will be here for future generations.
Can we have the party at the Church?
Yes! Just speak to the office for more information.
Bedworth Parish welcomes everyone who is interested in either service and provides a preparation to enable parents to make an informed decision.
Both the Thanksgivings and Baptisms take place at our 11 am service.
We’re delighted you’re thinking of a baptism or thanksgiving for your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. For more information about our thanksgiving or infant baptism services, please call the church office, or get in touch using the contact form below or pop along to one of our Sunday Services
What’s involved
If you wish to book a baptism then you need to make sure that you are free to attend the Baptism Preparation (along with your god-parents, unless they live too far away!). Also, we give the newly baptised a very special “welcome” at our Altogether Service on the third Sunday of the month after your baptism. At this service we present you with the Baptism Certificate and your child is presented to the congregation who promise to pray for him/her – and of course to make a fuss of her/him.
Godparents
Congratulations on being asked to be a godparent: they are very important people! We know that your friends or relations will have thought hard about this. They have chosen you to be a special person in their child’s life, someone who will offer encouragement, prayer and support for the child, and help them discover more about the Christian faith as they grow up.
What does being a godparent involve?
As a godparent you have a special role. It’s about helping a child to come to know God, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in their membership of the local church. You need to be at the Baptism where you will make promises to help bring them up in the Christian faith. It’s a role that will grow over time, as your godchild grows up and develops their own faith.
Is it a big responsibility?
It is. Have a look at the questions you will answer in the Baptism Service. Take some time to think through the commitments that you make when you answer them. But don’t forget that the church can support you in encouraging and praying for your godchild.
Do I have to be a regular churchgoer?
Being asked to be a godparent is a good opportunity to think about your own faith. Godparents must have been baptised themselves, and it’s best if you are also confirmed. Baptism or Confirmation preparation can help you with your own questions about the Christian faith. It will also help you support your godchild in their own faith. If you have any questions at all, why not speak to your local vicar or another Christian that you know.
For more on being a Godparent check out the Church of England website.
Some typical questions
My child is 5 – is that too old?
No. A person can be baptised at any age. When a child is old enough to understand what will happen at baptism then we prefer they become, or are already members of our Sunday School, before committing to baptism. That is because the promises made by parents and godparents at baptism are about helping the child to experience the Christian faith as s/he grows up. Encouraging your child to be an active member of our Sunday School is the most obvious way of you carrying out that promise and demonstrating how you will support your child as s/he grows up.
And adults – can they be baptised?
Yes. We welcome adults enquiring about being baptised. For an adult, baptism is a significant stage on our journey with God, because we recognise that God has reached out to us, and we want to show our love and commitment to him in response. Usually adults being baptised will be regular worshippers in our church. If you are thinking about taking this step of faith, please get in touch, and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.
Can I have a private baptism?
There is no such thing as private baptism – baptism is about belonging to the world-wide church, and all our baptisms occur during our church services.
How much does baptism cost?
Nothing. Baptisms and Thanksgivings are free. However, we do invite people to make a generous donation to our parish. Our two churches no money from the state to help with maintenance. Your generous offering (gift-aided if possible) helps to ensure the church will be here for future generations.
Can we have the party at the Church?
Yes! Just speak to the office for more information.
