Baptism Leaflet - St James Church – Southam

Your New Baby or Young ChildandThe Parish Churches ofSt. James in SouthamandSt. Michael & All Angels in UftonCongratulations on the birth of yourbaby!This leaflet explainsthe options available foryour child’s ‘Christening’

‘When a child is born.. !’Congratulations!In the ‘good old days' when a lot more people in thiscountry went to church, most people were‘christened’ soon after they were born. Things havechanged since then, but ‘Christening’ has becomepart of our history and culture.One of the most natural responses to the gift of a child is to want toinvolve God!Even in these scientific days there is still a sense of wonder at a new lifecoming into the world - the ‘miracle’ of birth.Because of this it is only natural that people come to the church asking tohave their baby ‘christened’.We find that different people have lots of different things in mind whenthey come to the church to ask for a ‘Christening'. Maybe some of theseare close to what you have in mind ....2

What does ‘Christening’mean to you?IT'S ABOUT GIVING THE BABY AIT'S A WAY OF GIVING A CHILD ANAMEGOOD START IN LIFEIT’S SIMPLY ‘THE RIGHT THING TODO’ BECAUSE I MYSELF WASCHRISTENED AS A BABYIT'S ABOUT HAVINGTHE BABY BLESSEDIT’S A GOOD WAY TO GET GTHE FAMILYTOGETHER FOR A PARTY TO WELCOME THE NEWBABYIT'S A VITAL WAY OF INTRODUCING OUR BABYTO THE FAITH WHICH WE HOLD AND THECHURCH WHICH WE BELONG TOIn the church service book there isn't a service of‘Christening’ at all! ‘Christening’ is a sort of nickname forservices which are about the things we've just mentioned -one is called ‘Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child’ and the other is called‘Baptism’. Have a look in this booklet to find out about the differencebetween the two services ....AT SOUTHAM AND UFTON PARISH CHURCHESE V E R Y O N E IS OFFERED A THANKSGIVING SERVICE FIRST… AND THEN,070702 3

AFTER that,is able to choose whether or not to request Baptism as well.4

What happens now?You can be sure that God is as thrilled about your child’sbirth (and/or adoption!) as you are, and that He wants tohelp you bring your child up.☺Thanksgiving ServiceWhen you ask for a “christening”, we will encourageyou to come along to church on Sundays.When you have had a chance to read this booklet, ifat any time there’s anything you’d like to ask ordiscuss, you can give us a call on (01926) 812413.Discuss things between yourselves. Decide whetheryou want to proceed with your request. If you wantto go ahead, bring along (or post) the enclosedapplication form to the Parish Office at the Rectory(address on page 15 of this booklet) - or let me have it inchurch on Sunday.070702 5

We’ll then agree a time and date for theservice - and then it happens!Then, after the Thanksgiving, if you want to havea Baptism as well ....You would be expected to attend church regularlyas well as taking part in the baptism preparationevening. Parents (and godparents) tell me it’s reallyhelpful to understand what baptism is really all about.At the end of the baptism preparation evening we willoffer you an application form for Baptism.Fill in the form and return it to the Parish Office atthe Rectory (address on page 15 of this booklet) - orlet me have it in church on Sunday. You need to givedetails of your proposed Godparents. Godparents are mostwelcome to come to the baptism preparation evening. Youcan ask anything you like about baptism and the Christian faithwhile we’re there.The Baptism happens during our normal Sundayworship service on the agreed date.Any questions? Just ask!6

John Armstrong - Rector070702 7

ThanksgivingThanksgiving for the Gift of a Child is the service in which the childis blessed and parents and child are prayed for. It's a simple and beautifulway to welcome her or him into the world. In fact it can be thecelebration of the gift or the adoption of a child. A Thanksgiving serviceusually takes place in the church during a normal Sunday morning service.It's very similar to what people did at the time of Jesus - bringing babiesto him so that he could bless them (see Mark, chapter 10 in the Bible):People brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands onthem, but his followers told them off. When Jesus noticed this, hewas angry with his followers and said, “Let the little children cometo me, and do not stop them, because the kingdom of God belongsto such as these.”There is no water used at a thanksgiving and, although you don’t have tohave godparents (because no promises are made about bringing the childup as a practising Christian) you may like to choose ‘supporters’ whopromise to help you as you bring up your child - many people do this.A Thanksgiving can be anything from a small informal event, to a greatfamily occasion, with a bit of a party afterwards. Your baby's name isrecorded in our church's registers and a certificate is given.A Thanksgiving Service is especially suitable where parents do not feel atthe moment that they want to make serious promises about the churchand their own Christian commitment, but do want God's blessing fortheir child and the very best start in life for him or her. Equally, like manyothers, you may prefer to wait until your child is old enough to make hisor her own decision about faith and the church.8

The Parish Churches of St James, Southamand St Michael & All Angels, Ufton.Rev. John Armstrong, The Rectory, 4 Park Lane, Southam, CV47 0JA.Application for a service ofThanksgiving for the Birth of a Child.Your child’s full name(s)………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………….and date of birth………………………………………………………..Mother’s full name(s)…………………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………….Father’s full name(s)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….I/we apply for a service of Thanksgiving for our child.Signature of parent(s)…………………………………………………..Date of application……………………………………………………..Your address…………………………………………………………...………………………………..Post Code…………………………….Tele. no……………….. Email .………………………………………Please return form to:-St James Church Office, 74D Coventry Street, Southam, CV47 0EA.070702 9

A further step after the Thanksgiving Service may be..BaptismBaptism is a service for someone joining the Christian church,whether as a baby, child of any age or adult. With babies italways takes place at the Font, and involves water. Naturallythere are promises to be made in the service about the Christianfaith and commitment to the church. Bringing your child up as aChristian means much more than teaching them to believe inGod and be a decent sort of person. Where a baby is beingbaptised these promises are made by the parents andgodparents.At the beginning of the service thePARENTS AND GODPARENTS, THE CHURCHRECEIVES THESE CHILDREN WITH JOY. TODAYWE ARE TRUSTING GOD FOR THEIR GROWTHIN FAITH. WILL YOU PRAY FOR THEM, DRAWTHEM BY YOUR EXAMPLE INTO THECOMMUNITY OF FAITH AND WALK WITH THEMIN THE WAY OF CHRIST?minister says:The reply is:WITH THE HELP OF GOD, WE WILLThen you will be asked070702 11

IN BAPTISM THESE CHILDREN BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY IN FAITH. YOU SPEAKFOR THEM TODAY. WILL YOU CARE FOR THEM, AND HELP THEM TO TAKETHEIR PLACE WITHIN THE LIFE AND WORSHIP OF CHRIST’S CHURCH?The reply is:WITH THE HELP OF GOD, WE WILLParents and godparents haveto promise that they will encourage the child to grow up in theChristian faith by their PRAYERS, EXAMPLE, and TEACHING.As you can see, a lot of stress is placed on the example of parents.Because of this, we try to prepareeveryone who brings children forBaptism very carefully, so thatthey are clear about thepromises they will be making.We take Baptism very seriously,and we presume that you will too.This means that ….WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE YOU WORSHIPPING WITH US ATCHURCH. In addition, you will need to come along to the baptismpreparation evening. Parents (and godparents) tell me it’s really helpfulto understand what baptism is really all about. Trained people from thechurch will explain the Christian faith and the service of Baptism. Afterthis course you can decide for yourself whether you would like to go forbaptism or not - we will offer you an application form for Baptism.12

ON OUR PART, of course we try to do everything wecan to make it easier for you to bring your childrento church and to support you in the difficult taskof bringing them up!Because baptism is about joining the ‘family of God’ at a local church,Baptisms take place during one of the normal Sunday services at church,so that the rest of the congregation can welcome your child to the family.Any Questions about Baptism?What about Godparents?In a Thanksgiving you don’t need Godparents, because there aren’t thesame commitments to God and the church, but there is the opportunityfor you to have people whom we call ‘supporters’.In a Baptism Godparents are not people who will look after your child ifanything happens to you (if you want to appoint guardians for your childyou should do so in your will). Godparents are only required for aBaptism. It is usual for there to be three (two of the same sex as the childnormally).It is important that you should choose people with a real living faith. TheyWHAT IS ESSENTIAL IS THAT THEY PRAY REGULARLY FOR YOURCHILD AND TO HELP YOU TO BRING UP YOUR CHILD AS APRACTISING CHRISTIAN WITHIN THE FAMILY OF THE CHURCH.should be baptised and confirmed, and they should be practisingChristians (though they don’t have to be Church of England), who regularly attendchurch. So it might be best not to make any arrangements aboutGodparents until you have spoken to the Rector!070702 13

Many people find that the birth of a child is a good time to think aboutTHEIR OWN FAITH IN GOD, especially if they themselves are not baptised orconfirmed. If you'd like to know more, ask about our groups for thoseexploring the Christian faith, for example, the Alpha Course. If you laterdecide to have a baptism for your child then we would expect at leastone of you to have been confirmed (it would be strange for you topromise something for your child that isn't already true for you).14

• Do we have to go to church?We ask you to come along to church so that you canbecome familiar with what happens when we get togetherand so that you can get to know the members of the church family towhich, if you’re requesting a baptism, you are committingyourself and your child(ren)! As an introduction you might find the10.00 am. service a good starting point. The “all age” service, usually onthe 4 th . Sunday of the month in Southam, is particularly child-friendly.Do we have to dress up?No. Wear whatever you like. The same goes for your baby. Christeninggowns are fine at either service, but are not essential!My parents want my baby baptised, but I'm not sure.Only have your baby baptised if you're sure that it's what you want. Talkto the Rector and encourage your parents to do the same.Some things to consider.. Some people say things like: ‘You don't have to go to church tobe a Christian.’ But Baptism is about becoming part of a Family! If you already have other children who have been baptised, howdo you feel now about the promises you made to bring them up asChristians within the family of the church. Is that how it hasworked out for you? Look again on page 3 at the reasonspeople have for bringing their babies tobe ‘Christened’. What are your reasons?070702 15

Whether …in “Christening” you decide to make the most of the “Thanksgiving” or,after preparation, to continue with a “Baptism”, we’d love to invite yourchild or children.. and you .. to our Sunday Services whenever you like,also to our Song and Story Time - the second Friday of the month10.30am - Contact Chris 813482 or Margo 815201 and Jolly J’s 10.00amevery Monday (term time only) - Contact Jenny - all at St James Church.16

Bringing your child to churchThere iis proviisiion ffor briingiing babiies and very smallll chiilldren to the““Ki idss’ ’ Corrneerr”” at the back off church iin Southam when accompaniied byadullts ((iiff thiis iis hellpffull)).. There are toys and comffy chaiirs..We lliike chiilldren and they are very wellcome at allll serviices..In SouthamThe monthly pattern of our main Sunday service at 10.00am.1 st &3 rd . Sunday: Adults & children begin together, then childrenmove to groups according to age, using vestry andprayer room. There will then be a sermon for theadults.2 nd &4 th . Sunday: The children will be with us throughout and we willhave an All-Age sermon. 2 nd Sunday will stillcontinue to include Holy Communion.5 th . Sunday: An opportunity four times a year for a service witha special theme and distinctive form.(Other Sunday services are 8.00 am. Holy Communion & 6.30 pm. Evensong (Communion 3 rd . Sun.)and070702 17

In Uftonmost Sunday services are at 10.00 am., too1 st . Sun. in the month: Holy Communion2 nd . Sun: Morning Worship3 rd . Sun: Holy Communion4 th . Sun: All Age Family Service at Southam +5 th . Sun: Morning WorshipYou can be assured of a WARM welcome at all the services.In the COLDEST times of winter we meet in the village hall!18

Contacting us:St James Church Office,74D Coventry Street,Southam,CV47 0EA01926 812413Normal office hours are:MONDAY to Friday 9.00 am. -1.00 pmParish Administrator: Mrs. Margaret MumfordE-mail southamchurch@yahoo.comWebsite www.stjames-southam.co.ukRev. John Armstrong,The Rectory, Park Lane, Southam CV47 0JA070702 19