Are you thinking of celebrating your child’s birth and welcoming them into God’s family? If so, you might be interested in having them christened at St Alban’s. A christening is a special ceremony where your child is baptized with water and blessed by a priest. It’s also a chance for you and your loved ones to share your faith and joy with the church community. Here’s what you need to know about planning a christening at St Alban’s and what to expect on the day.

For us and the godparents?

Choosing to raise your child in the Christian faith and joining the loving community of Christ’s church.

For our child?

Joining the warm and welcoming family of Christ’s church;

Being named before God and being declared as God’s beloved child;

Embarking on a new spiritual adventure following the footsteps of Jesus.

For the church?

We will welcome, support and pray for you and your child;

We provide community where you and your family will feel welcome and are able to worship and grow in faith.

What will we be asked to do?

You and the godparents will be asked to promise that you will:

Tell your child the stories of the Christian faith;

Pray for your child and ask God to bless them;

Help your child take their place within Christ’s church by keeping in touch with our life and worship at St Alban’s.

You and the godparents will be asked to declare that you:

Turn away from the darkness of sin and evil;

Are committed to living your life in the light of Christ’s love.

Some other questions people ask

Is there a difference been Baptism and Christening?

Both names refer to the same service.“Baptism” means “washing”.To be “Christened” means to be “made like Christ”.

What about godparents?

You can choose two to four people to be godparents. They will help your child grow in faith and love God. They need to have been christened/baptised too.

How much does Christening cost?

You don’t have to pay anything. But we hope you and your guests will give some money on the plate when we collect it in the service.

Can we have our child Christening if:

We are not yet married?

I am a single parent?

My partner does not share my faith?

Yes – to all of these – but both parents (or guardians) must agree to the chistening/baptism.

We are interested in having our child baptised at St Alban’s

So what happens next?

We would love to have you join us for worship at any of our services and experience what we do and what we are like. You can choose from our traditional 10am Sunday Mass, our family-friendly 5pm Saturday service or any other time that works for you. Come and see how we celebrate God’s love and grace together. We hope you and your child will feel at home at St Alban’s.

Contact the vicar, Fr Gerry (Phone: 0121 440 0404; E-mail: [email protected]).

Christening/Baptism can take place at one of our public services such as Sunday Morning Mass, the Family Service on Saturday or another time.

We hope that you will feel a part of St. Alban’s Church and be able to share fully in our life and worship.

There are activities for all ages at St Alban's Church.