Christening

We sometimes use the words 'baptism' and 'christening' interchangeably – a baby or young child is 'baptised' in a 'christening service'. Everybody is entitled to be baptised in the parish in which they live, although we will usually ask you to come for one or more baptism preparation meetings first. These are special meetings with the minister who will do the service, to talk about why we get baptised and what it means within the Christian faith - as well as to talk about the details of the service.

Baptism is a celebration of God’s love, a mark of belonging to God’s family and a commitment to going together on the journey of faith.  The service is free and we are delighted to welcome babies and children from the parish, or sometimes from further afield, for a Christening service.  Please contact the Benefice Office, or talk to a priest after a Sunday service, to start a conversation.

You can also find out more on the dedicated Church of England Website for Christenings.

Service of Thanksgiving

There may be reasons why you feel a Christening Service is not the appropriate way right now to mark your child’s new life:

• Some parents would rather leave baptism to when their child grows up and decides themselves to be baptised.

• Some parents want a service to mark their child’s birth, but are not yet ready to make the promises about faith that the Christening Service asks.

• Some parents want a small simple service to mark their child’s birth prior to a Christening Service that may take some time to organise.

In these cases, we are delighted to offer a Service of Thanksgiving. This is an appropriate service to invite family and friends to and you can still have a baptism at a later date. Find out more...

Youth and Adult Baptism

It is a cause of special joy when somebody who is old enough to speak for themselves wants to be baptised. The best place to start is to arrange to speak with a member of the clergy. 

Confirmation

Many people who join the church wish to express their commitment to God by reaffirming for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism by their parents and godparents at a confirmation service. A member of the clergy will lead a few sessions to prepare you for this, but the service is always led by a Bishop who will normally use the opportunity to talk to the candidates about the responsibilities of adult Christian life and pray for them. He often addresses the congregation, too, and encourages them to support the candidates in the new step each is taking. Those being confirmed will then make their public profession of faith.

Again, the best place to start is to arrange to speak with a member of the clergy.

For more details see the Church of England website. 

If having read this you want to go ahead with a service at St Mary's please contact the parish office to arrange to meet with a member of the clergy.

There is no cost for any of these services.