We're delighted you're thinking of baptism for your child.  Your child is precious to you and precious to God.  At baptism you promise to raise your child to know God loves them, and to help them to follow Jesus as a member of the Church.

What happens at the Baptism Service?

Baptisms (sometimes called Christenings) always take place at the 10am Sunday service at St. John's (STJOHNS@TEN).  This is so the congregation can welcome your child into the church family at St. John's.

At Baptism, you and your child's godparents publically promise to do your best to raise your child to follow Jesus as part of the wider Church family.  The congregation at St. John's welcome your child and promise to support, encourage and pray for him or her, and for you as a family.

During the service, the priest will ask you and the godparents to bring your child to the font at the front of the church, containing the water for baptism.  The priest will ask you to make some promises on behalf of your child.  After that your child will be baptised and welcomed into the church.

Baptism Promises

During the baptism service you and your child's godparents answer six questions on behalf of your child.  You declare your Christian faith in front of the church community and promise to help your child to follow Jesus.  Here are the questions with your responses in bold:

• Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?  I reject them.
• Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?  I renounce them.
• Do you repent of the sins that separate us form God and neighbour?  I repent of them.
• Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?  I turn to Christ.
• Do you submit to Christ as Lord?  I submit to Christ.
• Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?  I come to Christ.

Do I have to be a regular churchgoer?

St. John's believes that God loves everybody, and that everyone is welcome at St. John's.  You don't have to be a regular churchgoer to have your child baptized but you do have to take the promises seriously as you will be making these promises before God. 

Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child

If you don't feel ready to make these promises, or you would prefer your child to make the promises for him or herself at a later date, then we offer a Thanksgiving Service for the Gift of a Child.  In this service, you thank God for your child and the priest will pray a blessing on your child.  However, you do not make the same promises as in the baptism service.

Adult Baptism

Baptism is also available for older children and adults who are ready to make these promises for themselves.  In this case, we offer full immersion baptism.  If you have already been baptized you can renew your baptism vows in this way. 

Arranging the Service

If your are interested in exploring a baptism or thanksgiving service for your child, please fill in your details below and one of us will contact you.  One of our priests will then arrange to visit you to talk further about the promises you are making.  Please don't arrange a date for the service until this has happened, as we need to make sure you are ready for the service, and the promises you are making, first.

At St. John's we always hold Baptism and Thanksgiving services on our non-communion Sundays.  These are usually the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month,

Find Out More

Complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Are you interested in:

Baptism

Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child

Renewal of Baptism Vows

Are your enquiring on behalf of:

Your Child   - You Child's Name:     Your Child's Age:

You

Please describe your connection with St. John's Church (e.g., you live in the Parish, you attend one of the Sunday services (state which one), you attend snips etc.  If no connection, please write 'none'):

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