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The Parish of St. Mary's, Alverstoke, Gosport 'Sharing God's love in the Community' |
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Baptism
What is Baptism? Baptism (often called Christening) is about becoming part of the Christian Church. It is the way people have done that for as long as the Church has existed. It is not just for babies or young children, but it is still mostly children who are baptised. A baptism service gives you an opportunity to say thank you to God for the birth of your child and gives us a chance to pray for you and your child, but the service is above all about your child becoming a member of God’s family, the Church.
Who can be Baptised? We are delighted to baptise anybody of any age. If you are an adult seeking baptism please contact one of the clergy or the Parish Office (023 9258 0551). If you live outside the Parish of Alverstoke we will need to receive the consent of your Parish Priest. Click Here to see the list of streets that are in the parish. Streets & Buildings In St. Mary's Parish
When do Baptisms take place?
If you wait your child to be baptised in St
Mary's then there are two
1. We would love to Baptise your child at the main 10.00am service on a Sunday morning. This gives our largest congregation the chance to share in the occasion and to properly welcome your child into the family of the Church. Baptisms take place in the Family Service on the second Sunday of any month. If you would like your child baptised in this service you will need to talk to one of the Clergy.
2. Alternatively we run Baptism Services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month at 3.00pm. If you would rather have your baby baptised in St Faith's Church on Tribe Road, baptisms here usually take place on the second Sunday of the month at 11.30am.
We also offer simpler form of service called a Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. This will usually be available on the a Sunday of each month at 11.30am.
Will it cost me anything?
What else do I need to know? Baptism is an important event and we would like to take the opportunity to help you, to think through what it means and what you will need to say and do in the service. To help you do this we run a Baptism Preparation session in St Mary's Church on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7.30pm.
How can I book a Baptism? We ask you to come along to the Baptism Preparation where we take bookings. You will find a form by clicking Here which you can either bring to that session (where we will confirm the date) or you can fill it in later and drop it into the Parish Centre in Green Road. It is helpful for us if we can have this as soon as possible after you have booked a time.
What about Godparents?
It is traditional to have three Godparents (two of the same sex as your. child and one of the other sex), but you are at liberty to have more or less than this. Godparents need to be Baptised and should be Confirmed members of the Church of England. Godparents need to make some big declarations and promises so do consider who you ask carefully. Enclosed with this booklet you should find some copies of a letter from us that you might like to give to your child's Godparent explaining what is involved. If these are missing then please ask for some at the prepmabon session
What next? Simply turn up at the Baptism Preparation. It would be helpful if you could let us know that you are coming (either by ringing 02392 580551 or by speaking to the person at Vestry Hour on a Wednesday evening from 7.00-8.00pm), but this is not essential. See below for exact details.
What happens after my baby is baptised? We would love to see you and your baby in any of out churches on a Sunday morning. Service times are as follows:
St Mary's: 10.00am (Family Service 2nd Sunday) St Faith's: 9.30am St Francis': 11.15am (Family Service 4th Sunday) All the churches have a Sunday School, except for Sundays with a Family Service.
We also have a range of activities for children and adults within the parish. These might interest you:
Baby. Bible and Biscuit: an
opportunity for parents of pre-school children to explore the reality of Jesus
in our lives as the children play amongst us. Meet alternate Thursdays in tern
time 9.30-11.00am (flexible).
Alpha: an opportunity to explore the Christian faith for people with a little knowledge or none at all. 10 week course beginning in January, May and October. Contact the office 02392 580551.
Baptism Preparation This is held on the second Monday of each month in St Mary's Church. We begin at 7.30pm and we aim to finish before 9.00pm.
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