Christening, Baptism, Naming and Thanksgiving
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Christening is also called baptism, especially when it involves an older child or adult This page is for parents of young children (up to three). For older children and adults we make different arrangements – please talk to us if you want to discuss this.
Who can have their child christened/baptised at St Peter’s? Anyone who: Lives in the village of Bredhurst (i.e., South of the M2 and in the parish of South Gillingham) Click here to find which parish you are in OR Is on our Church electoral roll OR OR lives in our parish (Hempstead, Wigmore, Parkwood and Bredhurst) AND has a connection with St Peter’s (you were married here or your children go to Bredhurst School or Busy Bees playgroup, etc.) If you fall into this category then the service will be conducted by the vicar for your area and you will also be invited to a service of Welcome at your local church on a Sunday following the baptism. Click here to find which parish you are in OR Regularly attends services at St Peter’s. Attending any or all of the following services/events for 6 months would count as “regular attendance”: Tea for Terrors is our monthly activity for families with toddlers on the first Saturday of every month at 3.30pm Family Service is our monthly service for families of all ages on the second Sunday of the month at 11.00am Holy Terrors is our monthly service for families with toddlers, every 3^rd Sunday at 9.30am Children are welcome at all our services. There is always one at 11.00am. There are toys at the back and the chapel is soundproof if you need it. We have a toilet and a large car park and there is room for pushchairs at the back. Baptism or christening is the ceremony in which a child is admitted to the Christian church. This only makes sense if it is conducted within the child’s own community or within the church in which the child may be expected to grow up, which is why we ask you to visit us regularly if you don’t actually live in the parish or to have the service conducted by your local vicar if you don’t live in the village or attend St Peter’s. (Incidentally, we get into deep trouble if we christen children who are not from our parish unless the family are regular worshippers.) By the way, the parents do not have to have been baptised themselves for their child to be christened.					Who can have a thanksgiving /naming service for their child at St Peter’s? Anyone. A Thanksgiving service does what it says on the tin. We adapt the thanksgiving/naming service to your and your child’s needs. To arrange a service just call the Office.
					What does it cost for a Baptism/Christening Nothing. Nil. That’s right, nothing. £0.00 Zero. Are you sure? Yup. Nothing. I keep saying this because the fees charged for civil naming ceremonies are so high that people don’t believe me. Anyway, it’s free and I enjoy doing them. Most families like to make a donation (and if you use one of our Gift Aid envelopes the government add 25% to your gift) but it’s not compulsory.
How do I arrange the Christening and what happens? Call the Parish Office on 01634 231736 and chat to Kelly our super-friendly administrator. One of the clergy will get in touch with you and come to see you. Er, that’s it! After the Christening we will invite you to a course where you can explore the meaning of baptism in more depth. These are not compulsory but we do encourage you to attend.			Just mind the candle, Graham				Godparents The official position is this: · You should have a minimum of two and a maximum of four (that’s all we have room for in the register but you can have as many “extras” as you like.) There is no rule on gender, but it is traditional to have two women and a man for a baby girl and the other way round for a boy. · They must have been Baptised (Christened) in a Christian Church. · Ideally all, and at least one, must also have been confirmed. But we are realists, so talk to us before panicking. We have even included someone in New Zealand via a video link before now so anything’s possible. And those who haven’t been baptised themselves can stand as Supporters – their names don’t go in the register and they may choose to make different promises. At a naming or Thanksgiving service there is no requirement for the Supporters (godparents) to be baptised and we can adapt the promises to those which you and they are prepared to make, providing that these are compatible with a Christian ceremony.
			What happens in a christening service? It varies depending on you and your family. Some are quiet around the font. Others are part of a main service. Others still are theatrical with songs and everything. We will work out with you what’s right for you and your child. But typically this is the order: Welcome Reading and talk Promises Declaration of faith Baptism Prayers Blessing
Click here for Graham’s baptism check sheet that he uses to help you design the service			Click here to see the text of a typical service It includes the promises made by the parents and godparents and also includes a shorter Thanksgiving service so you can see the style of that ceremony as well.				And click here to see the text of a reading that an older child could do at the start of the ceremony.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SOUTH GILLINGHAM Registered Charity Number: 1130544 The Parish Office, St Matthew’s Church, Drewery Drive, Wigmore, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0NX