Baptism (Christening)

Baptism is the foundational sacrament and the pre-requisite for all other sacraments. It is the beginining of a journey of faith as a desciple of Christ. As it came to be administered at first, the sacramental meaning plunged a person figuratively into a death-defying moment.

 For the ancient Jewish people water was seen as symbolizing death. The plunging into a pool of water, oftentimes near a riverside, signified the moment a person, witnessed by the community, made the once and for all change binding them to the life of Christ and His Church. Submerging into the waters symbolically communicated forgiveness of all sin and the “in-pouring” of new life – the new graced life with Christ. Death would no longer have the last say, but the risen life would hold sway. When we are baptized, we are united with Jesus Christ and incorporated into His redemptive death on the Cross. We are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God, joined with Christ sharing in His divinity – in His resurrection.

Since Baptism is a covenant with God, the individual must say "Yes" to it. In the baptism of children the parents and godparents confess the Faith on behalf of the children. The faith required for baptism is not perfect and mature, but a beginning that is called to develop. For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after baptism. It is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs.

We welcome everyone to have their children baptized in one of our parish churches located within the Benefice of Whorlton. We are also happy to provide the sacrament of baptism to adults. During the baptismal service every person, a child or an adult, will receive the sacrament of baptism in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There are around 10,000 people baptized in the Church of England every month. 

Every person is precious to God. So, as you make a decision to start this journey for your child or yourself, you may wish to arrange a service of baptism in one of our parishes churches. To do so, please contact our Priest-in-Charge (Rector) or Parish Administrator by

- coming to one of our Sunday services or

- speak to our priest in charge (rector) directly after Sunday service