Baptisms and Thanksgivings at St Marys
We welcome enquiries about baptism for children and adults at St Mary?s Bramall Lane. To avoid confusion, please consider the following questions that usually arise.
Who can be baptised at St Mary's Bramall Lane?
Anyone who lives in the parish of St Mary's Bramall Lane is entitled to ask for baptism for themselves or their children. If you do not live in St Mary?s parish, we encourage you to go to your own parish church unless there are special reasons such as family or other links with St Mary?s.
How do we prepare for baptism?
The Baptism of your child is a special occasion for you, your friends and family. It is important to prepare thoroughly for it and we encourage you to do so in the following ways:
Attend worship at St Mary?s when you are able, in the time leading up to the baptism. This will help you to become familiar with the church family and experience our services at first hand. Take time to find out what faith in Christ really means to those who worship regularly. Bring Godparents with you when realistic to do so.
Think about ways in which you can make this baptism service your own. Are there members of the family you would like to involve, perhaps by praying or reading? Would someone like to read a poem? Is there any particular music you would like to have e.g. a favourite hymn?
We will arrange a home visit or rehearsal in church, shortly before the service to clarify and discuss the promises and practical details and answer any questions you may have. Ideally this would include godparents too.
The Baptism Service.
Baptisms are usually held on the second Sunday of the month at an all age family service. Please bear this in mind when asking for a date and have several options in mind. We deal with requests in the order they come.
On the Sunday in question, We ask you and your party to arrive no later than 10.15am for the service at 10.30am. This allows time to ensure that everyone is seated comfortably and to find extra chairs if they are needed. Children are welcome at St Mary?s and creche facilities are available on request.
Who can be a Godparent and how many can we have?
A godparent should be baptised themselves in the Christian faith and be prepared to take seriously the promises they will make on behalf of their godchild, and the continuing role you are asking them to take. The custom is to have two godparents the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. This is not a rule but a custom and variations are not unusual.
Can we take pictures?
We are happy for pictures to be taken, but we ask you to do this at the end of the service to avoid distraction for other worshippers and devaluing this special occasion. Please ensure that family and friends are aware of this to avoid misunderstanding.
How much will it cost?
The fee payable for a certificate of baptism is £9.00 from 1 st January 2003. We do not charge for the baptism itself but invite contributions for the ongoing work of St Mary?s in this neighbourhood.
Are there alternatives to the service of baptism for children?
In the service of Baptism, you, as parents and Godparents, will make a series of promises on behalf of your child. Please think carefully about these promises to be clear in your own mind that you are happy to make them and make an effort to keep them.
For example you will be asked the following:
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour? You reply "I repent of them."
Do you turn to Christ as saviour? You reply. "I turn to Christ."
Do you submit to Christ as Lord? You reply. "I submit to Christ."
Do you come to Christ, the way the truth and the life? You reply. "I come to Christ."
If you are unhappy about making these promises, it may be that a thanksgiving service is more suitable, because you will not have to say anything you do not believe. Take time to think about the Christian Faith and what it means for you and your family. We welcome all enquiries about the Christian Faith and there is always a member of staff available to talk with you about it.
What is a service of thanksgiving for the gift of a child?
This services is designed to meet the needs of:
- Parents who see this as a preliminary to Baptism.
- Parents who do not wish their children to be baptised immediately.
- Others who would like to celebrate and give thanks for the birth of their children but are not ready to make the promises required in Baptism.
" Jesus said ?Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of god belongs??.And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10 vs 13 ? 16.
