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St Philip & St James', Leckhampton, Cheltenham
The birth of a child is a time of great celebration within a family. The Church recognises that many couples wish to celebrate that birth and give thanks to God by having a service in church. Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child We would like all new born children to have a service of 'Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child' within a few weeks of birth. This is a simple act of thanksgiving which can take place within any normal Sunday service of worship. The Thanksgiving is a short part of the service, doesn't require anyone to be present except the parents and child, and allows the parents to say thank you to God publicly for the precious gift that they have received. The Thanksgiving can be arranged at very short notice and is often a more appropriate way for couples to express themselves than a full baptism service. If you wish your child to be baptised, this service of thanksgiving is the normal first step in this process. Contact the Church Office to find out more. Baptism We believe that the baptism of a child is a joyful event and a big step for both the family of the child and the Church family. It is therefore treated with the seriousness due to one of the Church's great sacraments. We recognise that Christian baptism is rooted in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, in his death and resurrection. In baptism we are incorporated through faith into Christ who is the crucified and risen Lord and we enter into the New Covenant between God and his people. Baptism is a gift of God and is administered with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is both God's gift and our human response to that gift. Personal commitment is necessary for responsible membership in the body of Christ. Although baptism upon personal profession of faith is the most clearly recognised pattern in the New Testament, we are able to baptise infants - but only in the knowledge that the parents and God-parents can profess the Christian faith themselves and on behalf of their children. So when a child joins the Church family it is the duty of the child's family to bring up their child as a Christian within the Church by:
It is the responsibility of the Church family to look after the child's upbringing within the Church by providing the pastoral care and teaching necessary for the child and family. Parents wishing to have their child baptised would normally live within the parish and have shown some evidence that they themselves belong to the worshipping community or are willing to become part of it. God-parents / sponsors must be baptised and should be communicant members of the Church of England, or practising members of another Christian denomination. The Church may also provide a sponsor for the child and this person will be the link between the family and the Church. There will be at least one baptism preparation class and rehearsal which parents and God-parents / sponsors will attend. This class will be led by a minister or trained lay-person. The baptism will normally be at one of the main Sunday services, usually in the morning, and such services are arranged to take place approximately once every 2 or 3 months. We hope that the parents of new born children will wish to take this great step of joining our Church family and we ask that you approach the Vicar or one of the other clergy (through the Church Office) to find out more. We will make sure that you receive a visit as soon as possible. Whether baptised or not, we welcome all children at our services, especially at the 10am service on a Sunday and at J.A.M. (Jesus and Me), and at our Toddler Group. Services - Music - Access for all - Children - Baptisms - Banns and weddings - Not just services - Contact us - Where to find us - History and buildings - Links - Home page Last updated on 5 November 2007.
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