Baptism & Confirmation

Baptism (sometimes known as 'Christening')

In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. In the Anglican Church it is common to baptism young children; this is sometimes known, outside the church, as christening.

Baptism is a 'sacrament' (holy ritual to symbolise grace) in the Christian tradition that is traced back to Jesus himself being baptised in the river Jordan.

"I'd like to have my child baptised"

We're delighted you're thinking of baptism for your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. At baptism you promise to raise your child to know God loves them, and to help them to follow Jesus as a member of the Church.

In baptism, you as parents are: thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church's support.

For your child, baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.

Message from Simon Caddock, Church Member & Baptism Co-ordinator:

"In these difficult times of boom and bust every responsible parent wants the best for their children. But what more can we do for our children? What part can God play in their upbringing? Will He be with them and help them if we ask him?

"At Bishop Ridley Church, we offer everyone the opportunity to find out more about what it means to be a Christian, and to know Jesus in their life.  As part of that journey of discovery in life, we encourage parents to bring their children to be baptised.

"Many of us at Bishop Ridley have been through and are going through the process of bringing up children. To bring up a child with a bigger family around us, can be a great help and support as we face the difficulties that arise in life. Through prayer and with Jesus, you will not feel alone.
You may well be surprised at the likeminded people within our Church family and wonder why you have left it for so long!

"Incidentally, sometimes parents who weren’t baptised themselves as children decide that they would like to be baptised as well, as I did a few years ago! At the age of 37, I was baptised with my daughter Alice (7) and my son James (5), all one after the other!"

If you live in Falconwood and have just had a baby, or maybe you have a child at Bishop Ridley School, the Babes and Toddlers Group, or in the uniformed groups, and you would like to find out more about what it means to have your child baptised (or be baptised yourself), then please email Simon Caddock or contact the Church Office.

For more answers to your questions, please click here to be directed to the Church of England's own page on Baptism.  This will (hopefully) also answer any questions that Godparents may have.

Another ideal way to find out more about baptism, Church and Jesus is to come to our Sunday morning service at 10.30am - you will be very welcome and will probably recognise many local people and neighbours!

Confirmation

Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey where those who have been baptised as children make a firm commitment to Christian discipleship.

Through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live the life of discipleship.

To find out more about Confirmation, please click here to be directed to the Church of England's own website.

If you are thinking about being confirmed, please contact our vicar, Tim Hatwell, as soon as possible.  Tim is planning to start a Confirmation Course immediately after Easter 2011 (dates and times by mutual agreement).  If you would like to join the course without committing yourself to being confirmed at this stage, you are very welcome.  The course is also ideal for those who have been confirmed but would like to refresh their faith.