The Parish of Flitwick
Church of England
Diocese of St Albans
Baptism (Christening)
Baptism Enquiry Form (children)
Adult Baptism form (Word rtf.doc)
Baptism
of babies and young children
If you would like to consider having your child or an adult baptised
you will need to consider a number of things.
you and the godparents or sponsors
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Thanking God for his gift of life
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Deciding to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the support of the Church
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Joining the Church in expressing your belief in God and praying for your child
your child
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Beginning a journey of faith
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Becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family
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Sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus in a symbolic way
the Church
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Promising to welcome, support and pray for you and your child
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Being reminded of the importance of this baptism for every Christian
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Providing a worshipping community where everyone can grow in faith
Baptism as a Sacrament
Christians speak of baptism as a sacrament — a visible sign of God’s love. We believe that God loves people of every race, creed or colour. At baptism we are thanking God for the gift of life and acknowledging his love. We are turning away from evil, sin and darkness and turning towards Christ. At the service you will be making some serious decisions on behalf of your child and the preparation evening will explain this to you in more detail.
Baptism
of older children, teenagers and adults
Baptism is not just for babies. Anyone may be baptised at any age, including parents. Because you are older you should be able to understand what this important step in your life means. It is a serious and joyful commitment to God and something that needs caring for. The Church will help you with your growing faith and this is more effectively done by attending worship regularly. Why not ask about church services and other ways in which we may offer you support? Teenagers and adults don’t have godparents but sponsors, who must have been baptised themselves.
When
do baptisms take place?
At Flitwick Parish church baptisms normally take place on a Sundays at 12.15pm. Baptisms normally happen on the most Sundays of each month. It is possible to arrange a baptism during the main service at 10.30am providing that your number of guests is not too large. Parents and older candidates are also invited to attend a welcome at a family service on the 1st Sunday of the month following baptism or the next convenient first Sunday after that. At this service you will receive a welcome from the regular congregation, baptism cards and a portion of the New Testament to read at home.
What
next?
If you are interested in finding more information about baptism, please contact the vicar. Some details can then be taken from you and a provisional date and time discussed with you. You will then be contacted by a member of the church and invited to attend a preparation evening where you will receive a fuller explanation of the meaning of baptism, together with a baptism application form and information for your godparents or sponsors. You will be asked to check that the three (or four) godparents (or two sponsors for older candidates) you approach are baptised themselves. Your attendance at preparation is essential if you are to discover the meaning of baptism. It will also help to make the occasion both informative and memorable. There is no charge for a baptism but you will be asked at preparation to consider making a gift on the occasion of the baptism. If you pay tax at the basic rate your gift can be gift aided.
This page last updated 16/08/2008