We love celebrating the blessing of Children at Christ Church. We offer a choice of either a Baptism service or a Thanksgiving service. These take place as part of a normal church service.
Baptism service
Infant Baptism (Christening) is a significant moment in family life as parents and god-parents:
1. stand in front of the church, family, friends and God and declare a personal trust in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour;
2. pray that your child will grow to have his/her own personal relationship with Jesus; and
3. promise that as parents and god-parents you will do everything possible to teach and encourage your child to know Jesus and accept him as their own Lord and Saviour when they are able to do so.
The child is then baptised by the pouring of water over his/her head as an outward symbol of cleansing, reflecting the inward faith of the parents in Jesus cleansing of their sin on the cross.
Preparing for such a significant moment requires commitment from you. Firstly, commitment to Jesus as Lord and Saviour; secondly, commitment to regularly attending church; and thirdly commitment to meeting with a minister of the church to talk through the baptism service and the promises that you will be making.
Thanksgiving service
Thanksgiving services are an opportunity to give thanks to God for your child. In the service the church will pray for your child and makes promises to provide a nurturing Christian environment in which they can learn about Jesus as their own Lord and Saviour. Our prayer is that when they are old enough they can make their own declaration of Jesus as Lord and Saviour and partake in an adult Baptism service. Unlike the baptism service, at a Thanksgiving service parents and sponsors are not required to make a declaration of personal faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Whether Baptism or Thanksgiving service you can begin the process by speaking to one of the ministers at one of our church services (10am traditional service, or 5pm Gathering, contemporary service). Baptism and Thanksgiving services normally take place in the 10am service on the second, fourth or fifth Sunday's of the month, or at any of our monthly Gathering services. You will need to check with the minister on a suitable date (normally a minimum of two months in advance).
Baptism service
Infant Baptism (Christening) is a significant moment in family life as parents and god-parents:
1. stand in front of the church, family, friends and God and declare a personal trust in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour;
2. pray that your child will grow to have his/her own personal relationship with Jesus; and
3. promise that as parents and god-parents you will do everything possible to teach and encourage your child to know Jesus and accept him as their own Lord and Saviour when they are able to do so.
The child is then baptised by the pouring of water over his/her head as an outward symbol of cleansing, reflecting the inward faith of the parents in Jesus cleansing of their sin on the cross.
Preparing for such a significant moment requires commitment from you. Firstly, commitment to Jesus as Lord and Saviour; secondly, commitment to regularly attending church; and thirdly commitment to meeting with a minister of the church to talk through the baptism service and the promises that you will be making.
Thanksgiving service
Thanksgiving services are an opportunity to give thanks to God for your child. In the service the church will pray for your child and makes promises to provide a nurturing Christian environment in which they can learn about Jesus as their own Lord and Saviour. Our prayer is that when they are old enough they can make their own declaration of Jesus as Lord and Saviour and partake in an adult Baptism service. Unlike the baptism service, at a Thanksgiving service parents and sponsors are not required to make a declaration of personal faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Whether Baptism or Thanksgiving service you can begin the process by speaking to one of the ministers at one of our church services (10am traditional service, or 5pm Gathering, contemporary service). Baptism and Thanksgiving services normally take place in the 10am service on the second, fourth or fifth Sunday's of the month, or at any of our monthly Gathering services. You will need to check with the minister on a suitable date (normally a minimum of two months in advance).