Celebrating the birth of a child
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 | CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF A CHILD
Many parents want to celebrate the arrival of a child with some form of service in church where they thank God for their child, together with family and friends. St Chad’s is very pleased to help families with this.
St Chad’s is part of the Church of England which, like many churches, recognises two main services to celebrate the birth of a child:
- THANKSGIVING
- BAPTISM (’Christening’)
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THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is a wonderful service in which, as its name suggests, we say ‘thank you’ to God for the life of a child. Prayers are said, the child is named and blessed, a bible is given and sponsors/ godparents are usually involved.
For many, this is just what they want, as a way of marking the new addition to their family and it allows them to come to church and together we ask for God’s support, help and blessing.
For others they wish to go on and have their child baptised (sometimes called ‘christened’).
BAPTISM
Baptism is a lovely and important service for families who want to bring up their child as a Christian within the supportive family of the church. It involves promises which are made to Jesus Christ and to church.
At baptism, parents speak words of Christian commitment, the child is again named, immersed in water (or water poured on the head) and prayers are said. Baptism is the main mark of membership of church and parents who have their child baptised promise to bring them up as a Christian - including coming regularly to church worship, encouraging their child to pray, read the bible, etc..
Whilst the service is relaxed and welcoming, the words said are important and challenging. Because of this, some people want time to think this through. Some want a service in church, but do not feel they are yet ready to commit themselves to Jesus and church and so decide that ‘Thanksgiving’ is the appropriate main service to celebrate their child’s life.
AT ST CHAD’S
With this in mind, we encourage each family to have a ’Thanksgiving’ first and then if they wish to make the promises of baptism we can talk this through and arrange baptism at a later date.
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the role of Godparents?
Godparents are those chosen to be responsible for their godchild’s development - especially their spiritual growth. Ideally they will be committed to pray for them. You need at least one male and one female godparent. Godparents don’t necessarily have to be the parents’ best friends, members of the family or the child’s guardian.
If I go on and have my child baptised, have I completed my Christian duty?
No, it’s only just begun! At baptism, parents and godparents commit themselves to help the child grow up as a Christian, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. Parents in particular need to encourage their child to regularly worship, read the bible and pray. These will be crucial if baptised children are to continue in the Christian faith for themselves. Families bringing their children for baptism hope that one day their child will be confirmed and make their own commitment to Christ and church for themselves.
What if I want ‘baptism’ but don’t feel I can make a clear commitment to Jesus Christ and his church?
Have the ‘Thanksgiving’ service first. If you then want to go on and have your child baptised it is important that at least one parent is able to make all the promises with integrity. But you might want time to think about it. You might want to find out if St Chad’s is the kind of church you could relax and settle in. There’s no hurry. For some, waiting might be a good option!
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
call the Church Office (274 5086) and arrange to talk with one of the Staff Team about the next step for you.
Come to St Chad’s, especially to the 10.30am Service on a Sunday (where we do Thanksgivings and Baptisms) and get a feel for the people, the place and the worship. |
