Baptism at Christ Church
 Baptism is a sacrament of belonging. It marks a significant moment, both in the
life of the candidate, and in the life of the church community, family and friends. It is a celebration of a new
beginning in becoming a member of Christ’s body the Church. Baptism immerses us in the new life given to us through the
death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. When we come for baptism we are saying “yes” to God’s love and desire for us
to belong to the community of God’s people. We are baptised into membership of the universal Christian Church, not
merely as members of a particular denomination or parish.
Christian parents bring their children for baptism because they want them to be
part of the community of faith. Parents and Godparents (or Sponsors) make promises on behalf of the children they bring
for baptism. They also take on the responsibility of raising their children as active members of the church.
In the Christian life, we are not alone. God provides us companions on the way
and we share our faith and our struggles with the community of the Church. In baptism, the Church says “yes” to you.
Welcome!
Preparation
Before taking any significant step in life, it is appropriate
to prepare for it. The same is true in beginning the Christian life with baptism. When we bring children to be baptised,
the parents and godparents need to prepare for their new responsibilities. In baptismal preparation we seek to explore
our faith and to understand the promises being made at baptism. At Christ Church baptismal preparation is
arranged before the date of each baptism through making an appointment with one of the parish clergy.
Parents & Godparents (Sponsors)
In bringing a child to be baptised in the Church we seek to give the child
something of value which we already have: active membership in the Church and the joy of the Christian life. Children
are baptised in response to the faith of their parents who, together with the Godparents, make the Baptismal Promises on
behalf of the child.
Godparents
have an important part to play in the Christian life and nurture of their godchild. They should be chosen with great
care. Godparents or sponsors do not need to be Anglican, but they must be baptised themselves, and they should be
practicing Christians who are worshipping members of a church.
The Promises in Baptism
In the baptism service we make several promises to God and
God's Church. You will be asked:
Do you affirm the faith of the
Christian Church.
We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins.
Do you reject selfish living,
and all that is false and unjust?
I reject them all.
Do you renounce Satan and all
evil?
I renounce all that is evil.
Will you each, by God's grace, strive to live as a disciple
of Christ, loving God with your whole heart, and your neighbour as yourself, until your life's end?
I will, with God's help.
In other words, we promise to be active members of the worshiping community,
seeking to strengthen our faith by being active members of the Church’s worshipping community, and seeking to bring
God’s love into the world through our daily lives. If you feel that you are unable to make this commitment at the
present time, then it may be best to postpone the baptism. In this case we encourage you to discuss this with one of the
parish clergy.
Baptism of Adults
Although most of the above implies that
baptism is for children, we often baptise adults. Preparation in this case is more intense because we are preparing
the individual for the Christian life, where for baptism of children we begin with faithful parents who will spend a
number of years nurturing their children in the Christian faith. For more information about baptism of adults, please
contact one of the parish clergy.
Fees
Often we are asked what the fee is for baptism. As a sacrament of commitment to God and membership
in the church, there is no fee for baptism at
Christ Church. We do encourage all members to make responsible Christian stewardship, which includes support for the
church, a regular part of baptismal commitment and life.
Dates for Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament that involves the whole Christian
community. Therefore it takes place at the church font and is celebrated during one of the Sunday worship services.
Normally this would be in the parish where the baptismal family live; if this is not the case it needs to be discussed
with the Vicar, Fr Richard.
At Christ Church there are a number of specific dates
scheduled for baptisms each year. Baptisms are not celebrated during Advent (the four weeks prior to Christmas) and Lent
(the six weeks prior to Easter).
2008
Baptism Dates at Christ Church
SUN 10AM |
SUN 12 NOON |
13 Jan |
20 Jan |
27 Jan |
3 Feb |
No
baptisms during Lent : 6 Feb – 21 Mar, 2008
SUN 10AM |
SUN 12 NOON |
|
30 Mar |
|
6
Apr |
13
Apr |
| |
4 May |
1 Jun |
8 Jun |
6 Jul |
13 Jul |
3 Aug |
10 Aug |
7 Sep |
14 Sep |
5 Oct |
26 Oct |
9 Nov |
|
No
baptisms during Advent : 30 Nov – 21 Dec, 2008
What to do
next…
1. You need to contact the Parish Office to make an appointment with
one of the Parish Clergy to discuss the meaning of Holy Baptism and the commitment which it involves.
2. If you then wish to proceed with the Baptism, arrangements will be made for
preparation and a walk through of the Order of Service.
Please remember…
1. Normally, no dates for Baptism will be confirmed until the above procedure
has been carried out.
2. All Godparents (Sponsors) MUST be baptised persons.
3. Baptisms are only celebrated in the church and on the advertised
days and times on Sundays.
Parish Office
PO Box 8, South Yarra 3141
Phone: (03) 9866 4434
Email: ccoffice@ccsy.org.au
| 