Baptism comes from the Greek word meaning to wash or submerge. It is about a person being washed with the Holy Spirit to receive forgiveness of the their sins as they are washed outwardly with water.

Baptism is one of the Dominical Sacraments: the services given to us by Jesus through which the Holy Spirit is conferred on the recipient. In the case of baptism, the person receives the presence of the Holy Spirt at baptism and is made a member of the Christian Church. This is why the service is also called Christening.

The church has always baptised adults as well as children. In the Acts of the Apostles we hear of entire households being baptised at once, and that would have included children. Later in the mid-second century we hear of St Polycarp declaring before his martyrdom that he had been a Christian for over eight decades, which implies that he was baptised as a child by St John.

Children who are baptised are supported by godparents who take on the duty of raising the child in the faith. In due course they will come to confirmation and receive communion. Parents who feel that they are not yet ready to make the baptismal promises for their children are welcome to have a service of thanksgiving for the birth of a child.

Adults who seek baptism are prepared through Christian nurture courses to take on the baptismal promises themselves and are confirmed at the same time as they are baptised.

If you want to find out more about baptism, contact the parish office.