Having your child baptised

Thank you for enquiring about having your child baptised in our parish. This leaflet is intended to give you a little information so that you can fill out the Application Form and help us to make your child’s baptism a meaningful event in his/her life.

When you made your enquiry we provisionally booked the date you would like for your child’s baptism. However, as we have many requests please note the date is not secure until the Application Form has been returned, and we have confirmed the arrangements with you.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is the mark of becoming a member of the church. It is often also the first public ceremony in a young child’s life and marks their membership not only of the Christian faith, but of the local community.

In the service we remind ourselves of what Christians believe and then welcome a new member by baptising them (with water) and christening them (with oil). These are two symbols of new life that we understand comes from following Christ in our daily lives. At the end of the service the newly baptised person is given a lighted candle as a sign that they go out of the church building and into the world as a sign of God’s love for creation.

When baptisms normally take place

Baptisms normally take place during the morning service, at one of the churches in this benefice, in accordance to the service rota – however at busy times, The incumbent (vicar) may also offer a Baptism later, on a Sunday afternoon.

Godparents

A child being baptised must have at least two godparents (though normally people choose to have three people as godparents). The role of the godparent is to take an ongoing interest in the growth and development of the child – in particular encouraging them morally and spiritually. For this reason it is important that they have themselves been baptised (and preferably also confirmed).

To make a booking

Please download the form and return it to: [email protected]

The Deanery Office, 6 Upgate, Louth LN11 9ET.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 01507 610247 or email to: [email protected]