If you have just become the proud parent of a new baby,
then please accept our congratulations!

Many parents like to have a church service for their baby
and we would be delighted to help you,
and are able to do so,
provided that, either,
you live within the local area of the St. James’ parish,
or, you are a regular worshipper at St. James’ Church.

In considering what kind of service to have for your baby,
perhaps the first question to ask is:
“Why do we want a church service?”

If you would like a church service . . .
. . . to thank God for giving you your baby,
. . . to ask God’s blessing on your baby,
. . . to ask God’s help for you as you try to be a good parent,
then a Service of Thanksgiving and Blessing may be right for you.

This service might especially be appropriate if you are not sure
about what you believe or about becoming involved in church life.

However if you have an active Christian faith,
that is, one which makes a difference to how you live your life,
and if you are a regular worshipper at St. James’ Church,
and you want a church service because you want your baby
to become a member of your church family with you,
then a Service of Baptism may be right for you and your baby.

• Service of Thanksgiving and Blessing

A Service of Thanksgiving and Blessing of a Child
may take place either during a normal Sunday service
or at another time agreed between you and the minister.

It is a simple service, lasting about twenty minutes, which involves no promises to be made and, therefore, requires minimal preparation.

As with baptism, godparents may be chosen. However, unlike baptism, they have no speaking role during the service. No water is used.

During the service all present pray for your child and for you as parents.
A gospel (meaning “good news”) is presented to you as well.

This is an excellent service to choose if you are not confident about making the promises required in the Baptism Service, and are not sure about making a personal commitment to be involved in the life of the church service.

Having a Service of Blessing and Thanksgiving for your child does not prevent your child being baptised at a later date.

• Service of Baptism

When a child is baptised she, or he, is received into the community of Christ’s Church on the basis of the Christian faith of her, or his, parents, expressed through Christian discipleship and through commited involvement with the community of the Church.

For this reason, Baptism takes place during the normal 10.00 am. Sunday Service, during which the parents of any child being baptised are required to declare their Christian faith in God, and express their commitment to follow Jesus Christ in their daily lives and through faithful involvement within the life of the Church community.

The declaration of Christian faith plus the promises involved mean that some degree of preparation is necessary before the baptism itself may take place, especially when the family are new to the church. Several meetings with the minister and/or other church members usually take place to consider what is involved in having a child baptised and to discuss the implications. When a family is new to the church, normally, it will be expected that they begin attending Sunday church worship.

A date for the baptism will be agreed only when both the minister and the parents are sure that it is appropriate to take this step.