Baptism, or 'Christening' as it is sometimes called, is the way we make public our personal Christian commitment. Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan at the start of his ministry, and ever since, Christians have baptised new believers as the sign of their own commitment to personal Christian discipleship.

The symbolism is powerful. The person being baptised passes through the water of death; he or she dies to her old life lived apart from God, and is raised to a new life, to be lived in prayerful obedience to God. In response to this, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God forgives the person of all past wrong, and treates him or her as is he or she had never sinned.

After baptism, the person baptised is greeted by the members of the local christian congregation, and welcomed into their fellowship. So an individual is always Baptised into a local christian congregation, but also into the world-wide fellowship of Christians of all (trinitarian) denominations.

Baptising Children and Infants

From the earliest times, Christians have baptised whole families, including children. Clearly, infants cannot make a personal commitment to Christian Discipleship, so the Christian parents or parent, helped by 'Sponsors', or 'God-Parents', make the promises on their behalf.

The Parents and God-Parents promise to bring the Child up in a Christian home, to take part in Christian worship on a regular basis, and when the Child is old enough, to bring him or her to the Bishop so that the Child can 'Confirm' for him or her self the promises of personal christian commitment that were made on his or her behalf at Baptism.

How to arrange a Baptism or Christening

Baptisms should normally take place in the Parish where the person being baptised lives. Adults seeking baptism, or parents seeking baptism for their children, should make direct contact with the Church of England minister of that parish.

The telephone number of the minister can be found in the phone book listed under CHURCHES and the name of the town or village. Alternatively telephone Church House on 01865 208225 for the name and telephone number of the minister.

The minister may wish the parents, or adult candidates, to undertake a period of instruction before baptism - each parish varies in its practice - but the Canon Law of the Church states that

"no minister shall refuse or, save for the purpose of preparing or instructing the parents or guardians or godparents, delay to baptise any infant within his cure that is brought to the church to be baptised."

Different parishes have different times for Baptism, and this is a matter for discussion between the minister and the family. The Canon Law of the Church also states that

"if the minister refuse or unduly delay to baptise an infant brought to him, the parents or guardians may apply to the Bishop of the Diocese, who shall, after consultation with the minister, give such direction as he thinks fit."

About Godparents

The Canon Law of the Church states that:

For every child to be baptised there shall be not fewere than three godparents, of whom at least two shall be of the same sex as the child and of whom at least one shall be of the opposite sex; save that, when three cannot conveniently be had, one godfather and god mother shall suffice. Parents may be godprents for their own children provided that the child have at least one other godparent.

The godparents shall be persons who will faithfully fulfil their responsibilities both by their care for the children committed to their charge and by the example of their own godly living.

No person shall be admitted to be a godparent who has not been baptised or confirmed. Nevertheless the minister shall have power to dispense with the requirement of confirmation in any case in which in his judgment need so requires.