Baptisms

Baptism services (sometimes known as christenings) at St. Nicolas Church take place on the first and third Sunday each month at 3.15pm.

On this page there is information on

What will happen?
Signs Used During the Service
The Promises
What do I do now?

If you require any further help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.

Baptisms

What will happen?

Your child will become a member of the church.
He/she will receive the sign of the cross, the sign of Christ upon his/her forehead.
He/she will have water poured on his/her head in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
He/she will receive a lighted candle as a symbol of his/her baptism into Christ.

Before your child's baptism you might like to think about what this means.

By having your child baptised you are saying that you want them to grow up as Christians and to follow Jesus. Baptism is the first step on their Christian journey and they will need your help and encouragement to do this.

Various signs are used during this service as pictures of what we pray is happening at a deeper level in our lives.

Signs Used During the Service

1. The Cross

Your child will be signed with the cross during the ceremony of baptism. This is the Christian's badge of faith and it reminds us of Christ's death for us.

2. Water

We use water daily for washing and for drinking. It reminds us that in baptism God washes away our sins and satisfies our deepest needs. It is also used to remind us that Jesus died on the cross, was laid in the ground and was raised to life again for us. In picture language. He was buried underneath the waters of death and was raised up and brought to life again.

3. The lighted candle

The lighted candle is to help us to remember that as Christians we are meant to be an example to other people to show them love and truth and forgiveness. We are supposed to "shine as a light in the world." The flame of the candle also makes us think of energy. In our prayers during the baptism we pray that your child may be filled with God's energy so that he/she may be God's soldier and servant in the world in which he/she lives.

The Promises

During the service the parents and godparents of the children to be baptised are required to make certain promises indicating their intention to bring their children up as Christians. It is worth thinking about these promises beforehand and to make sure that you are happy to say them when the time comes.

You will be asked:

Vicar: "Parents and godparents, the Church receives these children with joy. Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith. Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith (the local church) and walk with them in the way of Christ?"
Reply: "With the help of God, we will."

Vicar: "In baptism these children begin their journey in faith. You speak for them today. Will you care for them, and help them to take their place within the life and worship of Christ's Church? "
Reply: "With the help of God, we will."

What do I do now?

If you have read this and decide that you would like to go ahead with the baptism of your child please go to the Parish Office during the Office's opening hours. Alternatively, you can go to St.Nicolas Church on a Thursday evening between 6.30 and 8pm to see the 'Marriage & Baptism' clerks.

You will be asked for details about yourselves and your child and the date you had in mind for the baptism and you will be told what you have to do next.

Because the baptism of your child is so important we do ask you to attend church on three Sundays before the baptism. We also ask you to share with others in two preparation sessions:

one unit on The life of the Church and
the second on baptism itself.

These will be held on specific Thursdays throughout the year at 8pm in St.Nicolas church (for these dates please click here).

So then, we wish you God's blessing as you prepare for this important occasion. May you and your family know God's peace in the coming days and months.