Baptisms
Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it in all its fullness.
Baptisms are usually conducted on the first Sunday in the month in the Parish of Devonport and we do so within the context of the All Age Worship Service at 9.30am.
Baptism is not a private ceremony. It is a time when new members are born into the Family of God, the Church, and it is therefore fitting that other members of the Church Family are present.
We baptise both children and adults.
When someone is baptised that person is brought to Jesus Christ and made a member of Christ’s Church. It is a new start to life in which the baptised person is sealed by God with the Holy Spirit to represent Christ to the world. All Baptism services contain promises about Christian belief and practice which the adult candidates must make or the parents and godparents of children must make on their behalf.
From the beginning the Church has received new believers by baptism. Believers’ children have also been baptised so that with help and encouragement they should grow up in Christ and serve him.
Children who are too young to profess the Christian faith are baptised on the understanding that they are brought up as Christians within the family of the Church. As they grow up they need the help and encouragement of that family so that they learn to live by faith in God and come to confirmation as adults. . There is no point baptising children unless they are going to receive a Christian upbringing.
When a baptism is of a baby or a child, the baptised receives the love and shared faith of the church family to grow up into Christ. Through prayer and fellowship within the body of Christ, God strengthens and nourishes them in their faith.
Godparents or Sponsors
It is traditional to have three Godparents for a child. It is important to choose the right people. They need to be people who will continue to take a warm and personal interest in their godchild’s spiritual development. They will also be people who themselves profess the Christian faith and practice it in their lives.
There is no fee for Baptism however it is greatly appreciated when those baptised or their parents make a thank you offering to the Parish.
Confirmation
It is the Church’s teaching that baptism cannot be repeated in a person’s life because it is the action of God which declares our relationship in Christ. If there is any doubt that a person has been baptised, then conditional baptism may take place. The services of the Liturgy of Baptism and the Laying on of hands for Confirmation and Renewal provide for a process of response to the baptismal action by a profession of faith and commitment to Christian service. Those making a profession of faith are confirmed by the bishop through the laying on of hands.
For more information ring the Vicar on 445-0378