To discuss arranging a Baptism (Christening) at St Mary's
Drop in to "Clergy Surgery" which is held in church an hour before evensong on Sundays. During the winter months this is between 2.15-3.15pm. In summer between 5.00-6.00pm

Welcome
If you are considering asking to have your child Christened in St Mary's we want to assure you of our prayers and support. With the introduction of Common Worship in recent years, the Church of England now offers a much wider provision under the heading of Pastoral and Initiation Services, and the choice of which service is appropriate for you is something that needs to be thought through carefully, and these notes are designed to help.

What services are available?
For those who are newly born there is a Service of Thanksgiving, and a Service of Baptism. However, in this day and age people's spiritual journeys are much more varied, so, for adults, the provision has been included to include services of Baptism, Confirmation, Affirmation of Baptismal Faith, and Reception into the Church of England. There are different implications behind each of these choices, and it is important to chose the service that is right for you.

What is Baptism?
Baptism marks the first steps in a person's journey of faith. This journey is a process of discovery which takes place within a community. The Church, parents and godparents are partners within the common adventure of faith, and this sense of collaboration underlies the solemn vows that are made on behalf of a child in infant baptism. In the service the godparents, parents and Church promise to keep the child in their prayers and to help him or her in their journey of faith. Their vows include the following questions and answers, and it is important that godparents have made these vows for themselves before making them on behalf of someone else.

Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins.

Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil.

Baptism has always been a sign of membership of the Church, which is why it is important that this service relates to the ongoing life of the local church. Any relationship goes through times of change and development. At a baptism a child begins his or her Christian journey and there are other stages on this road such as confirmation and first communion. Parents and godparents have an immensely important part to play in all this because it is their task to give the child they have brought for baptism the opportunity of growing in faith, just as he or she will develop physically or emotionally.

What is a Service of Thanksgiving?
In the service of Baptism parents and godparents are affirming their own Christian faith and promising that they will bring up a child within that faith and within the family of the Church. Understandably some people feel that commitment is not something they can undertake but they would still like to give thanks for this wonderful moment in their lives. The birth or adoption of a child is a cause for celebration, and this service provides an opportunity for parents and families to give thanks and to pray for their life together.
This service does not involve the same solemn promises as a service of Baptism but includes special prayers for the child and for his or her parents. Just as a child is dependant on the food provided by others, so we all need to feed on the Word of God, and in this service the child is presented with a special Bible which will be a source of spiritual nourishment in their journey of faith.

What are Services of Affirmation or Reception?
Increasingly everyone is making their own individual journey of faith. Better relations between the different denominations mean it is not unusual for people to move from one church to another in their spiritual pilgrimage. Sometimes they feel that they have found their "home" in the Church of England and wish to be formally received into the Anglican family. This is done by the Bishop in a special part of the Confirmation Service. Others have found that although they have been baptised or confirmed at a young age their faith journey has involved time away from the Church family. It is not possible to be "rebaptised" or "reconfirmed" but it is possible to solemnly reaffirm your baptismal vows, and that too can be done with the Bishop at a Confirmation Service or in your local church with people you know.

When do Thanksgivings take place?
Because the whole Church is being asked to pray for the child being baptised, it is important that the service has an element which involves the whole congregation. On the first two Sundays of each month there is the opportunity to say a few prayers during the main Service fro the birth

When do Baptism's take place?
Ideally the whole service can be included in one of the Sunday services at 10.00am. Also it is possible to arrange a service at midday on the third and fourth Sundays of the month.

How many godparents?
Usually there are three godparents, traditionally two godmothers for a girl and two godfathers for a boy, but this is flexible. However, it is hoped that all godparents are confirmed and essential that they are baptised.

Can we take photos or use a video?
You are more than welcome to take photos around the font after the service, or to gather people together to video family and friends, but often we find that if these things are done in the service more people watch the camera than the baby!

In the future
At a later date we will write and invite you to a Sunday Service, (usually Mothering Sunday, a Sunday in late July, Harvest Festival Sunday or the Toy Service before Christmas). At that service we will welcome the children into God's family and present them with their certificate of Baptism.

Payment of fees and money
There is no charge whatsoever for these Services.
However there will be an opportunity for your family and friends to make a contribution to the upkeep of the church. Apart from the weekly running costs of £1,700, the roof is about to be replaced with help from English Heritage but still at a considerable cost to the community as well. Envelopes are available if you or you family are a tax payers for tax relief through the giftaid scheme. We would ask for generous giving to ensure future generations may enjoy and use the ancient parish church of Sandbach.

What next?
The first thing to do is to think through all that you have just read. There may be things with which you agree, some things with which you disagree, and some things that puzzle you. We are willing to talk further about any of this and to help you in any way we can.

And finally....................
Whatever you decide, please be assured of our care and concern for you and your child. If there is any way in which we can be of help please do not hesitate to ask. Contact the vicar by phone 01270 762379 or by email vicar@sandbachchurch.co.uk or by post 15, Offley Road, Sandbach CW11 1GY.

See also www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/baptismconfirm for more general information.