We welcome infants, children and adults for Holy Baptism (often called Christening).
At St Augustine’s we usually celebrate Baptisms on the second Sunday of the month, always within the 11am service, so the whole church family can pray for the individual or child being baptised. We’d love to welcome you and your family to join the St Augustine’s church family; to learn to read the Bible, to pray, and to grow in the Christian faith.
What is Baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament: an outward sign of God’s inner work.
In Baptism the sign is water. A person is baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
God’s inner work is new birth in Jesus, forgiveness of sins, adoption as God’s child and membership of his Church.
Baptism takes place once only and begins a lifelong journey of faith.
What does baptism do?
Claims a person as a child of God:
In Baptism, God names and claims us in Jesus Christ. It begins a Christian life of faith, prayer and worship, supported by the Church.
Cleanses a person from sin:
The water of Baptism is a sign of forgiveness and new life; dying and rising with Christ, we begin again by God’s grace.
Gives a person a new family, the Church
Baptism joins us to Christ’s Body. We don’t walk the Christian life alone; godparents (or sponsors) and the whole congregation promise to help.
What age can you be baptised?
It is possible to be baptised at any age.
If the person being baptised is a child or a baby, parents and godparents make promises on the child’s behalf and commit to nurturing them in the Christian faith, and to bringing them up as Christians.
If an adult or teenager is baptised, they make promises to follow Jesus. They would be Baptised and, at the same time, prepared for Confirmation.
How can I (or my child) be baptised or explore baptism?
Speak to a member of the clergy after the 11am service to explore Baptism and/or to discuss the possibility of arranging a date.
We’ll meet with you beforehand to get to know you, spend some time teaching about what it means to become a Christian, talk you through the Baptism service, and answer any questions you might have.
If you’re new to church or just beginning to ask questions, there will be no pressure. It is entirely your decision. Exploring the Christian life by asking about Baptism is a beautiful place to start.
