Infant Baptism Although a baby cannot decide to make the baptism promises for themselves, in the Anglican Church a baptism shows that the child is included as a member of the church family. When a child is baptised the family and church members look forward to the day when the promises made on behalf of the baby become personally real for the child. The child can later confirm the promises made at baptism at a confirmation service. Parents who would rather that their child was not baptised until old enough to choose to follow Jesus for themselves can have a 'Service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child', instead of a baptism. Full Baptism Service For a detailed description of the full baptism service, the wording used click here & responses you will be asked to make click here Requests for Baptisms Requests for Baptisms can now be made through the Parish Office which is in the Parish Centre. The administrator, Babs Baxter, can take requests between 10am and 12 noon, Monday to Wednesday. Telephone (01429) 281122 or email admin@saintlukes.org.uk In the early days In the early days of the Church, new Christians were often baptised at Easter. After a course of instruction in the faith, they publicly entered into a new life. They repented of their sins, were assured of God's forgiveness and were baptised, often in a river. This was a symbol that they had died to their old life and, born again, been given a share in the Holy Spirit who came on Jesus at his baptism and, after his resurrection, was given to his disciples. Generally, in the early Christian centuries, those who joined the Church were not only baptised with water; the bishop also laid his hands on them in blessing, a rite which later developed into what we know as confirmation. Admission to the Church was completed by their receiving Holy Communion for the first time. Baptism, confirmation and first communion still form the pattern today. What Baptism means Whilst all who truly believe are members of the Church, as the Body of Christ, from the beginnings of Christianity baptism has been used as a sign of membership. It involves a symbolic washing with water, in which we renounce whatever is at odds with our faith, and are claimed publicly as belonging to God. At first this mainly involved adults, but very soon children and babies were also baptised. This added a new symbolism to the action: that we are celebrating God’s love for all his children, freely given and received without bargaining. Belonging to the Church Many people grow up in the Church because they have been baptised as babies and brought up in a Christian family. That is not always the case. Increasing numbers of older people - from teenagers to great grandparents - are making their own decision to join the Church. For some people this comes as a sudden conversion. For others, a curiosity about God or about the person of Jesus grows into a gradual awareness of his presence and an increasing conviction that he demands some sort of personal commitment. They feel the need to express that commitment by joining a worshipping community of the Church. Some people follow a slightly different path. They get involved with their friends or their children in the social activities of their local church without having much interest in what the Church is really for. They enjoy the friendship of Christian people and get interested in the Church for its own sake. Gradually, they, too, want to belong. If you find yourself in this position, what should you do? First Steps Talk to your Christian friends or to Christians you know and trust. Come along to St Luke's - with a friend if possible - and choose the main Sunday service (9:30am). At St Luke's, everyone gathers for a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. This is a chance to meet other members of the congregation and to introduce yourself informally to the clergy - Revd Mary Judson (vicar) & Revd Paul Judson (assistant minister). There is also no shortage of books to read about the Christian faith and the Church. If you begin to feel you want to be received into the Church, discuss it with Mary or Paul. They will probably suggest that you be prepared for baptism and confirmation at the same time and will normally be confirmed at the same service in which you are baptised. The next confirmation/enquirer's class (10 weeks) is taking place at Stranton Chruch starting at 7:30pm on Wednesday 1st February 2006. Do contact Mary for further details. For more details about confirmation click here. Were you baptised? Many people were baptised (christened) as a baby but have had little contact with the Church since. Baptism is, nevertheless, permanent and cannot be cancelled or repeated. So, if you were baptised as a baby, in whatever church that took place, you are still baptised and do not need to be baptised again. Some people do not know whether they have been baptised or not. It is important to find out from parents or older relatives and to discover where it took place, because you may need to obtain a baptismal certificate. Adult baptism In St Luke's a baptism takes place at the font, where water will be poured over your head rather than the full immersion practiced by some churches. You will be asked to make the promises of baptism, repenting of your sins and turning to Christ. You must declare before God that you accept the Christian faith. The priest who baptises you will call you by your name and then use the words based on Holy Scripture: 'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' The Full Baptism Service For a detailed description of the full baptism service, the wording used click here & responses you will be asked to make click here 1st@4 Service On the 1st Sunday of every month at 4pm we have a special service for 0-90s. It is a great service for young families - crying babies and wriggly toddlers are very welcome - and belonging to 1st@4 helps parents and godparents fulfil the promises made during Baptism. Click here to find out more.