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Baptism, Namings and Thanksgivings
Baptism Baptism into the Christian faith is cause for great celebration: each are baptised with water (at my services this includes a few drops of water from the River Jordan which has been blessed in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit). A sign of the cross, made with oil on the forehead, signifies each candidate's entry into the Christian faith. They each receive a small candle (lit from the Pascal candle) to signify they are to shine their Christian light in God’s world having passed from the darkness of unknowing into illuming Christian light, this being an outward sign of an inward, God given grace. The shell used for the baptism signifies we who are baptised are disciples of Jesus Christ, and are to be fishers of men. The candidates each receive a card to record their Christian baptism, as do their Godparents or supporters.
Christian baptism is a Trinitarian baptism into the Christian faith, i.e. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and not to a particular denomination or group, thus enabling the child or adult to re-evaluate at any time their religious persuasion. A healthy faith is an enquiring faith. Baptism is a serious step for parents bringing their gift of a child to faith, and a joyfully important step for an adult choosing to be baptised. Families meet to feel the special joy and celebration of each candidate entering the Christian faith. Parents, Godparents, supporters or sponsors, and frequently grandparents and friends, take on the responsibilities required by baptism.
The location for your personal baptism service could be in your home, garden, or a hotel (with permission) or on the bank by a river. You have the choice of readings, poems and prayers, and music can be classical, modern, traditional hymns, or lullaby. I have a selection you may like to choose from.
This is a unique, personal service, for you, your family and friends to pray and thank our Lord for this life in Christ.
At a recent baptism a brother and sister of two and four years age wanted "Bob the Builder" music played. I then preached a short sermon on God the builder. This amused the adults and children alike, settling the little ones for a very special sacramental double baptism.
All services are recorded for the County Records Office, who in the event of my death will have a record of your baptism, wedding or funeral.
Naming
If you have no wish for yourself or a child to be baptised but would like a naming service, this can be arranged. There is a blessing in freedom, truth and love, a short sermon on the meaning of your name and a welcome into the unity and realm of family love.
Thanksgivings A thanksgiving service is also available if there has been a particularly difficult birth. If you have sadly lost a child, there is a short service of thanksgiving available. Please see the Celebration of Life section.
Please pray for those not included or acknowledged on this website, who wanted their privacy respected. Amen.
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