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The Church of England offers two alternative services to
parents who want God’s blessing on their child:
1. THE SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
Here the Priest formally names the child, gives thanks
for the child and prays, with the laying on of hands,
for God’s blessing on him or her.
You are not required to make any solemn promises of
commitment to Christ and the Church but you can have
sponsors (like godparents). Your child’s name will be
entered in the Register of Thanksgiving and will receive
a certificate.
If you wish to arrange a Service of Thanksgiving for
your child please ring the Rectory (01553 671381)
2. BAPTISM (CHRISTENING)
Here parents (and godparents) make solemn promises of
commitment to Christ and the Church. These promises
imply that you will worship with us as regularly as
possible. The Priest will meet with the parents to go
through preparation for the service.
At least one parent and all Godparents must have been
baptised themselves. Out of professional courtesy and
because families normally worship at their local church,
we do not normally baptise children who live outside our
parishes - unless the family worship regularly with us.
Baptism is not a one-off event but the beginning of a
journey with God which continues for the rest of our
lives, the first step in response to God’s love.
Becoming a Christian requires:
Baptism in water, as merely an
outward rite, does not make a person a Christian. It
must be accompanied by repentance and faith. When an
older child or adult is baptised they must repent and
have faith themselves. When a baby is baptised the
parent(s) must repent and have faith. The child is
baptised in anticipation that s/he will eventually come
to repentance and faith. Baptism is the beginning of a
spiritual journey.
If you live in the parish and you wish to arrange a
Baptism (Christening) please ring the Rectory (01553
671381).
[Similarly if you wish to arrange an Adult Baptism or a
Confirmation please ring the Rectory (01553 671381)]
Baptism Cards.
It has been suggested that members of the Church in the
Woottons would be interested to hear of a service
organised by Members of the Mothers’ Union and which has
been in operation since 1980.
This scheme to-date, delivers between 80 to 100
Baptismal Cards to every child baptised in either North
or South Wootton, for three years following their
baptism.
The cards are attractive, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year
cards, previously bought from Norwich M.U. Office, but
now being made by one of our own members.
A careful record is kept, and the cards are delivered on
the appropriate anniversaries by members of the Contact
group.
Jeanne Fox.
Posies.
Another one of the traditions and pleasures of the
Mothers’ Union is to present a small posy to the parents
of the newly baptised children. This usually happens
soon after the baptism at a 10am All Age Service either
at All Saints or St Mary’s. We all welcome the child
into our church family.
Recently a collage was made with all Mothers’ Union
groups working a dark blue square with an embroidery of
their choice. Joyce Peart,our secretary, worked a posy
of flowers depicting our commitment to the presentation
of posies.
We as members, are very proud of this and feel it is
important to carry on this tradition.
Margaret Murray |
