Last Updated 01/11/2009 00:42:06

The Parish of Haslemere
St Bartholomew’s with St Christopher’s

We are delighted that you are thinking about coming to church for a baptism service for your child. We hope the following explains what this means.

What is baptism?
In baptism, you as parents are: thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church's support.

For your child, baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.

Baptism is a 'sacrament' a visible sign of God's love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging his love. We are acknowledging that we all need to turn away from selfishness and evil and to accept God’s offer of a new start.

What happens during the service?
Your child's baptism will normally take place at a special Sunday service (usually in the morning).
The priest will make sure you know where to sit and when you need to move. Some parts of the service will be for the whole congregation to join in, some will be for you and the godparents.
Part of the baptism service will take place at the front of the church, but for the baptism itself, parents and godparents will usually be asked by the priest to gather around the font. (The font is a large basin on a pedestal, containing the water for baptism.)
The priest will ask the parents and godparents to make declarations on behalf of the child.
Making decisions and promises
When you bring your child for baptism, you will be asked to declare publicly on behalf of your child that you believe in God and that you will bring your child up to follow Jesus.
You will be asked to answer, on your child's behalf, that you have decided to turn away from everything which is evil or sinful and instead to turn towards Christ.
The declarations made by you and the child's godparents will be made in front of the congregation; who will then promise to support you and pray for you and your child.
Symbols and actions used during the service
A number of important symbols and actions will be used during the service itself:
· Anointing with the sign of the cross - the priest will make the sign of the cross on your child's forehead anointing him or her with oil. This is a sign of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to stand up for their faith in him.
· Water - the priest will pour water on your child's head. Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. In baptism it is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with God. Water is a sign of life, but also a symbol of death. When we are baptized, it is as though our old life is buried in the waters (like drowning) and we are raised to new life with Christ.
· The welcome - the church congregation will say some formal words of welcome to acknowledge that your child has joined the Church and to show how pleased they are to have you among them.
· Candles - Jesus is the Light of the World. A large candle may be lit in the church and you may also be given a lighted candle at the end of the service as a reminder of the light which has come into your child's life.
It is up to you, the child's godparents and the church community to help your child reject the world of darkness and follow a way of life that reflects goodness and light and shares this light with others.

The role of godparents
Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptised as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. It is an important and responsible role.

You should have at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child's spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. Godparents must themselves be baptized, and, preferably, also confirmed.

Frequently asked questions
Q. What's the difference between a baptism and a christening?
A. None, they are just different words for the same thing.
Q. What is the right age for baptism?
A. Baptism can happen at any age. What matters is that those concerned are committed to bring up a child as a Christian.
Teenagers and adults may also be baptized. This is celebrated with confirmation by the Bishop. You can only be baptised once, but there are ways of renewing your Christian commitment publicly as an adult - your priest will be able to advise you.
Q. I'm not a regular churchgoer. Can I still have my child baptised?
A. Yes. The Church believes that God's love is available to all, regardless of their background.
Q. What does it cost?
A. A Baptism service is free.

Should you wish to talk more about this, please contact the Rector, Rev Norman Jones (658107), Rev Delia Orme (644853) or the Parish Office (644578).