Baptism
Arranging Your Child's Baptism
Baptism is much more than a joyous occasion or simply naming the child - the church community comes together and the parents and godparents make important promises about bringing the baby up in the Christian faith.
Baptism takes place during the main Sunday services. This is so that children can be seen to be joining the family of the Church and be welcomed into membership. In turn the Church promises to welcome and pray for parents and their children. At Lytchett Minster Parish Church baptisms are at 9.30 am on the First Sunday of the month. At St Dunstan's Church Upton baptisms are at 11 am on the Third Sunday of the month.
What about Godparents...?
Godparents are important people who have special tasks! They promise to help their godchild come to know God, encourage him or her in their membership of the local church and take an interest in their spiritual life. They do this by making the same promises as the child's parents on behalf of the child being baptised.
They commit themselves to pray for the child and help the parents bring up the child in the Christian faith. Children usually have two or more godparents, sometimes two of whom which are the same sex as the child.
They can be family members or friends (and parents can also be godparents). But to carry out this role, the Church of England requires that all godparents have been baptised and preferably confirmed as well.
What about an older child...?
Sometimes people bring their babies for baptism when they are less than a year old - but sometimes other things get in the way and the child may be a lot older. The age of the child does not matter, but when they reach a certain age, we suggest that the child is old enough to take on the questions for themselves and so we suggest they consider joining a Baptism and Confirmation Course at our Church.
Please contact the Church Office for further information.