 WELCOMING CHILDREN TO ST NICOLAS CHURCHThis section of the website is designed for those enquiring about baptism at St Nicolas Church. What is set out here, together with an application form, is included in the baptism pack which is sent to all those who contact the Parish Co-ordinator, Sue Elliott, at the Church Office. (Tel 01635 529783 or e-mail selliott@st-nicolas-newbury.org).
We're delighted that you have decided to explore how we at St Nicolas can welcome your child into the family of the church. This section of the website sets out the two main options - a) Baptism. b) Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. BAPTISMBaptism goes back to the time of Jesus. Jesus had a cousin called John who, because he baptised people, was known as John the Baptist. John was a preacher who told people about God. He spoke to the crowds and told them that they were 'sinners' because they had done bad things in their lives. He warned them that God will judge people for what they do with their lives and said God wanted them to stop and turn away from their bad ways. He told them to seek God's forgiveness for the things they had done wrong. The people listening were moved by what John was saying and wanted to put things right with God straight away. This is where baptism started. By being plunged into the water of the River Jordan, people showed their willingness to be washed from their bad ways, and to try to live God's way from then on. As he prepared to begin his own work of showing people what God is like, Jesus went to John and asked to be baptised. John knew Jesus had never done anything wrong, and refused. 'I am the one who needs to be baptised by you!' he said. But Jesus persisted and so John went ahead. As Jesus was baptised, he heard God's voice say, 'This is my beloved Son' and saw 'the Spirit of God descending like a dove' on him. Christians are baptised today to follow Jesus' example, and to show that they believe and obey him. Baptism in water is an outward symbol of something happening on the inside. It is the sign that someone has turned from (repented of) their bad ways and has accepted that they can only do this with the help of God and his Holy Spirit. It's the sign that someone belongs to Jesus Christ - which is why baptism is sometimes known as 'christening'. Some churches teach that people should only be baptised when they are old enough to understand what they are doing and make the choice to follow Jesus for themselves. But in the Church of England we believe that it is good to baptise children of Christian parents. It doesn't seem right to exclude babies and very young children from formal membership of the Christian family just because they can't yet understand what's going on. Children are baptised in the hope that they will one day take the promises now being made on their behalf and make them real for themselves. Here are the three points in the service where parents and godparents are asked to make promises and speak for their child. We explore these in depth in an individually-tailored preparation course which you will be invited to attend. This will help you to understand what they mean and how significant they are. PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES Minister: 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 and walk with them in the way of Christ? Answer: With the help of God, we will. Minister: 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? Answer: With the help of God, we will. THE DECISION Minister: Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God? Answer: I reject them. Minister: Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil? Answer: I renounce them. Minister: Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour? Answer: I repent of them. Minister: Do you turn to Christ as Saviour? Answer: I turn to Christ. Minister: Do you submit to Christ as Lord? Answer: I submit to Christ. Minister: Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life? Answer: I come to Christ. PROFESSION OF FAITH Minister: Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized, our common faith in Jesus Christ. Minister: Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist? Answer: I believe and trust in him. Minister: Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again? Answer: I believe and trust in him. Minister: Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world? Answer: I believe and trust in him. Minister: This is the faith of the Church. All: This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
THANKSGIVING FOR THE GIFT OF A CHILD Many parents choose the Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child instead of Baptism. Sometimes this is because they decide that they would prefer their child to be baptised when he or she is old enough to choose to follow Jesus for themselves. Or it may be that the parents feel that they themselves are still on a journey towards Christian faith and are uneasy about making the promises set out above. The Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child provides an opportunity for parents and families to give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and to pray for family life. The service also includes the option for the child to be formally named and the family is given a copy of one of the Gospels. Instead of the baptismal promises, the parents are asked these two questions: Minister: Do you receive these children as a gift from God? Answer: We do. Minister: Do you wish to give thanks to God and seek his blessing? Answer: We do. Although the official term 'godparents' can only be used for Baptism, you are more than welcome to invite 'supporting friends' to fulfil the same role and take part in the Service of Thanksgiving
PRACTICAL DETAILS At St Nicolas we prefer baptisms and thanksgivings to take place when there is a congregation present so that all of us can welcome the child into the Christian family. The options are our more traditional service at 9.15 am or our more informal service at 11.00 am. You need to agree the date and time you choose with one of the church's ministers before completing the form included in the pack (or you can download it by clicking here). Although there is room on the form to list three godparents, you don't have to have as many as three and can, if you prefer, have more. Use the back of the form to note any additional details. As mentioned earlier, in order to help people enter fully into what welcoming children into the church is about and get the most out of the service, our policy at St Nicolas is to invite parents to a short course of preparation, tailored to their individual circumstances. You'll hear more about this when you apply. Please contact the Parish Co-ordinator, Sue Elliott, at the Church Office (telephone 01635 529783, email selliott@st-nicolas-newbury.org) if you want to take things further and discuss baptism with one of the church's ministers. | 