We love welcoming children and adults into our church families. When a new baby
is born we realise that a miracle has happened and we want to thank God for this
wonderful gift of life. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. At baptism
you promise to raise your child to know that God loves them, and to help them to
follow Jesus as a member of the church.
To assist them on their journey, godparents are chosen to help a child come to
know God in Jesus, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in
their membership of the local church.
Godparents are expected to attend the child's baptism, where they will make
promises to help to bring them up in the Christian faith. It's a role that will develop
over time, as the godchild grows up and develops their own faith. The role is a spiritual
one and you will be asked to encourage and pray for your godchild. Perhaps you will be asked to be a guardian too, but that is separate from being a godparent.
Godparents must have been baptised themselves, and it's best if they are also confirmed. Baptism preparation can help you with your own questions about the Christian faith. It will also help you to support your godchild in developing their own faith. If you have any questions at all, please do contact me or another Christian you know.
To enquire about having your child baptised, contact a churchwarden of the church where you would like the baptism to be held:
A suggested prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of [child's name] and for all the joy he/she brings us. Be with her/him on her/his Christian journey so she/he may come to know our Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and friend. Amen
