Baptism

Baptism is the special service at which someone is welcomed into membership of the Christian church. Baptism is a ‘sacrament’ – a visible sign of God’s love – when we thank God for the gift of life.

Typically, we are baptised when we are children and our parents and godparents make promises on our behalf. It is the start of our journey of faith.

What are these promises?

At Holy Baptism, parents promise to help their child in three ways:

• Prayer

  • Praying regularly for your child

  • Praying for a home that will be ‘a place of love, security and truth’

  • Praying that your child will grow up to know and love our Lord Jesus Christ

• Example

  • Taking part regularly in the Church’s worship

  • Setting a Christian example for your child to follow

• Teaching

  • Helping your child to know about the life and teaching of Jesus

  • Helping your child to say his or her prayers

  • Helping your child to prepare for Confirmation

  • Helping your child to live a Christian life

When you bring your child to be baptised you will be asked to declare, on behalf of your child, that you believe in God and that you will bring your child up to follow Jesus.

You will be asked to declare that you turn away from everything that is evil and turn to Christ.

By making these promises in front of the church congregation, the Christian community can promise to support you and pray for you and your child.

What about godparents?

Godparents may be family members or friends who will take an interest in your child’s spiritual welfare. Godparents must be baptised themselves.

During the service, the godparents will make the same promises as you, to pray for and support your child and to help you bring up your child in the Christian faith.

Baptism of adults

There is no upper age limit for baptism and we welcome anyone who wishes to make this visible commitment to God, whatever their age.

What happens during baptism?

The service includes many symbols:

Baptism at St Mary’s

Baptisms usually take place at 12 noon on the last Sunday of each month.

For more information about Baptism at St Mary’s, Rickmansworth please contact Revd Deborah Snowball
(01923 772627)