If you are considering bringing your child up in the Christian faith, you may wish to have your child baptised (also referred to as ‘Christened’). We welcome all enquiries relating to Baptism for those of any age, including adults. Baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.
The service
Christenings usually take place within our main 10am Sunday service throughout the year so that the congregation can welcome and promise to support the child in their journey of faith. If this is not possible, Christenings after the service on Sunday afternoons may be offered, usually around 12.30pm.
How to arrange
If you’d like to arrange a Christening, please contact the Parish Office stmoffice.lttm@btinternet.com or phone 01883 712512.
Preparation
Once you have made your initial enquiry and settled on a date, our Parish Administrator will send you some more information including a Baptism Application for you to fill in. We will then be in touch to arrange a visit to help prepare you for this special day. For more information about Church of England Christenings visit: https://churchofenglandchristenings.org/
After the Christening
We look forward to marking this special event with you, and very much hope you will continue to be involved in the life of St Mary’s. Everyone brings their own special gifts, and Christening is a beginning as well as a wonderful day.
Please note that there is no fee payable for this service. You may wish to make a voluntary donation towards church funds, although there is no obligation to do so.
We also offer Thanksgiving services. This is where the child is officially ‘named’ and you seek God’s blessing on him/her. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Dedication’ or a ‘Blessing’. It is especially for those who are not yet ready to make the undertakings of faith required for a Baptism or for those who are Christians but feel that the child should decide for themself when to be baptised. Some Christians, for example, feel strongly that Baptism should only be for those who can make their own mind up.
If you wish to enquire about a Thanksgiving for your child, please the Parish Office on stmoffice.lttm@btinternet.com. Please note that there is no fee payable for this service. You may wish to make a voluntary donation towards church funds, although there is no obligation to do so.
