Having your baby baptised at Gosforth Parish Church

We are delighted that you are thinking about having your baby baptised. Baptism is a wonderful gift from God and we are very happy to share God's gift of love with your baby, with you and with all your family.

When can my baby be baptised?

At Gosforth Parish Church there are basically two options:

• You can come to our Parish Eucharist on Sunday at 10.00 a.m. This service has hymns, a sermon and lasts about 70 minutes.
• You can ask for your baby to be baptised on a Sunday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. This is a quiet, simple Baptism Service lasting about 30 minutes.

You will need to discuss these options with the Vicar when he calls to see you. Whichever choice you make we encourage you to come to Parish Eucharist regularly for at least a month before your baby's baptism. That way you will feel more at home and we will have a chance to get to know you. If your baby is being baptised on a Sunday afternoon we also ask that you come on the following Sunday to Parish Eucharist so that we can introduce you all to the whole Church Family

What does Baptism cost?

Nothing! God gives his love freely. The Church hands on his love freely. Of course, we do ask you to think seriously about supporting us in our work so that we can offer God's free love to others. You might like to think about making a regular covenant or Gift aiding a donation (so we get more in back tax - free to you!).

Number and choice of godparents

A baby normally has three godparents. It is best if they are practising and faithful Christians. They must themselves be baptised. This is because in baptism we join God's Family - and only a member of the family can introduce someone else into the family. God parents make the promises on behalf of the child and then pray for the child as (s)he grows up so that (s)he becomes a faithful member of the Christian Community.

Can we take photos/make a video?

The short answer is yes … but (a) please ask the Vicar first (b) don't have everybody taking flash photos all the way though the service; this is very distracting for others and (c) be prepared to pay a legal musical copyright fee if you are making a video when our organist/choir are taking part in the service.

So … what do we do to arrange the service?

Please ring Philip, our Vicar, on 285 1326. He will arrange a time to see you (normally in your home) and to make all the necessary plans about dates etc.

So what is Baptism about?

Baptism is a promise from God that we matter. In Baptism we are given our Christian name. God loves us as individuals. Baptism is the start of the life of faith. It is important for us and important to God that we continue to grow in faith and knowledge of God throughout our lives. In the Anglican Church Baptism is normally followed by Confirmation at around the age of 12 or 13.

Baptism is the beginning of a journey of faith.

We travel on this journey with Jesus and with one another throughout our lives.

Baptism : sharing in Jesus' light

We always use candles at birthday parties. Baptism is our birth into Jesus. So we celebrate. The candle is lit from the Easter candle which is a sign of God's defeat of evil and death . In our baptism we share Jesus' victory over evil and death and shine as a light for all the world to see.
Walking in the way of Christ

Often we call Baptism "Christening".

Christening means "being made Christ-like". Baptism is about becoming bit by bit like Jesus. We need to grow, to have courage, to learn, to pray, to grow more and more like Jesus. That's why we need to be an active part of Jesus' family , the Church. The parents and God parents of a baby play a vital role in this. It is the duty of godparents to pray for their godchildren, to bring them into the life of the Church and to help them come to Confirmation.

Baptism brings us into God's community.

The Church is Jesus' family. We're never perfect (we know that!) but we try to care for one anther and to be a real community where all come together to care for one another : young and old, black and white, rich and poor. There are no barriers.

Joining the Family of Jesus

Baptism is the start of life in the Family of Christ, the Church. It is important that your child is brought up to worship regularly. That means you must think seriously about your own worship. Perhaps you are not yet baptised or confirmed? It is never too late. Consider joining us at Church for worship on Sunday. Our Parish Eucharist is at 10 00 a.m. - there is a Sunday School on all Sundays in School term time We have coffee after the Eucharist and we love to meet new people. Gosforth St. Nicholas is a growing and friendly family - you will be made very welcome.