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Baptisms 

Also known as Christening

BAPT 2Sometimes, seeing someone else baptised, deciding to have your own child baptised or being asked to be a godparent, can make you think about your own journey of faith. If you were not baptised as a young child, you may be deciding now as an adult or teenager to make this commitment.

Whatever led you to this point, baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives.
 
If you live in Walberton or Binsted and Fontwell you and your children have a right to be baptised/christened in your parish church even if you don’t normally attend church. We would simply ask that, as part of the preparation, you attend one of our services beforehand so that you get the feel of St Mary’s. You can also have your child baptised here if you have a qualifying connection to the parish similar to that required for marriage or your child attends one of the educational establishments in the village.
 
The Baptism of children takes place in one of the Sunday services at Walberton so that the congregation can welcome the child into the family of God. This can be at 9am, 10.30am or 6pm. It is usually preceded by three sessions of preparation with the parents where the service and the promises to be made by parents, godparents and congregation are explained.

Thanksgivings – a different journey.  A special church service, different from a christening, can be used as a way to say thank you to God for your child, and to mark the child's naming. It is called a Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child and it can be conducted at any time. It’s possible to have this service instead of a christening if you decide that now isn’t the right time to have your child baptised. You might also choose this service when your baby is just born, or if you have adopted a child into your family and you simply want to celebrate this in church.

Adults and children and over the age of 10 years are baptised making the promises for themselves without godparents. Confirmation and receiving Holy Communion should then follow as soon as possible. Adults are normally baptised and confirmed at a service conducted by the Bishop.  Preparation for this is planned on an individual basis.
  
All candidates being baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have a choice of having water being poured on their head or being completely dipped in water.

Baptisms 

Also known as Christening

BAPT 2Sometimes, seeing someone else baptised, deciding to have your own child baptised or being asked to be a godparent, can make you think about your own journey of faith. If you were not baptised as a young child, you may be deciding now as an adult or teenager to make this commitment.

Whatever led you to this point, baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives.
 
If you live in Walberton or Binsted and Fontwell you and your children have a right to be baptised/christened in your parish church even if you don’t normally attend church. We would simply ask that, as part of the preparation, you attend one of our services beforehand so that you get the feel of St Mary’s. You can also have your child baptised here if you have a qualifying connection to the parish similar to that required for marriage or your child attends one of the educational establishments in the village.
 
The Baptism of children takes place in one of the Sunday services at Walberton so that the congregation can welcome the child into the family of God. This can be at 9am, 10.30am or 6pm. It is usually preceded by three sessions of preparation with the parents where the service and the promises to be made by parents, godparents and congregation are explained.

Thanksgivings – a different journey.  A special church service, different from a christening, can be used as a way to say thank you to God for your child, and to mark the child's naming. It is called a Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child and it can be conducted at any time. It’s possible to have this service instead of a christening if you decide that now isn’t the right time to have your child baptised. You might also choose this service when your baby is just born, or if you have adopted a child into your family and you simply want to celebrate this in church.

Adults and children and over the age of 10 years are baptised making the promises for themselves without godparents. Confirmation and receiving Holy Communion should then follow as soon as possible. Adults are normally baptised and confirmed at a service conducted by the Bishop.  Preparation for this is planned on an individual basis.
  
All candidates being baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have a choice of having water being poured on their head or being completely dipped in water.