Baptism/Christening

Baptism

Baptism

Baptism is the sacrament through which people become members of the Christian church – not just a local parish, but the world-wide body of Christ. Baptism can be administered to adults who wish to join the church, or to children. At baptism, membership of the church is observed by making a profession of faith and a commitment to live as a faithful Christian; it is marked through the use of water as an outward and visible symbol of the internal presence of God’s grace, marked by the sign of the cross, and symbolic anointing with holy oil.
Baptism - Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Parents often wish to have their children baptised, and everyone is welcome to have their children christened in their local church. In this case, parents and godparents, who sponsor the person being baptised, make commitments on behalf of the one being baptised. During the Christening service your child will be baptised. There are around 10,000 babies and children baptised in the Church of England every month. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. By choosing baptism for your child, you make a decision to start your child on a journey of faith. The church and the godparents support the family and the child in this decision.

If you are interested in baptism at Santa Margarita, please contact the chaplain by phoning 617 222 382, or by completing the contact form below. Alternatively, you may download the Baptism Information Form in either PDF (Baptism Information Form – PDF) or Word (Baptism Information Form – Word) format, and return it to the church.

The Church of England has prepared responses to a number of frequently asked questions which can be found at Christening FAQs.  Further information about baptism can be found at the Church of England web site at Your Baptism.

Thanksgiving

While there are good reasons why parents choose to have their children baptised, not everyone feels that they should impose a commitment upon their children that they may wish to choose for themselves when old enough to do so.

Some parents might want to celebrate the gift of a child in a different way without the commitment that baptism involves. During the Thanksgiving service parents and families give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and everyone prays for family life. It can take place in church with the congregation, or with just family and friends gathered, or elsewhere such as home, or even in hospital.

A Thanksgiving Service is not a Baptism. There are no promises to make about the Christian faith. The child will be blessed and prayed for, and supporting friends will promise to support the parents in bringing up their baby.

To find out more about a Thanksgiving Service, please contact the chaplain by phoning 617 222 382, or by completing the contact form below.

Contact Form

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