Everyone is welcome to have their children christened in their parish church or Church of England place of worship if outside the United Kingdom. During the Christening service your baby will be baptised. There are around 10,000 babies and children baptised in the Church of England every month. The Church of England also welcome adults who want to be baptised.
There is no fee for baptisms.
Baptism (Christenings)
Baptism for babies and children takes place in a service often called a Christening. In this service parents thank God for his gift of life, make a decision to start their child on a journey of faith and godparents promise help and support. The church also promises to welcome the child and to pray for the family.
For your child, being baptised at a Christening marks the start of a lifelong journey of faith as part of the local and worldwide Christian family.
The church of England website has various resources to help parents and Godparents prepare for the Baptism service. Click on the link below to be taken to the appropriate page on the Church of England website.
Thanksgiving
Some parents might want to celebrate the gift of a child in a different way without the commitment that baptism involves. During the Thanksgiving service parents and families give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and everyone prays for family life. It can take place in church with the congregation, or with just family and friends gathered, or elsewhere such as home, or even in hospital.
A Thanksgiving Service is not a Baptism. There are no promises to make about the Christian faith. The child will be blessed and prayed for, and supporting friends will promise to support the parents in bringing up their baby.
To find out more about a Thanksgiving Service, please contact us in the normal way.
