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Christening and Baptism are two words for the same thing! Many vicars prefer to use the term “Baptism” because the service is not a technically naming ceremony – the children and babies have already been named! And because the word “baptism” means “to immerse”, and although we don’t immerse people in water we do immerse them in God’s love.
Like all Church of England parish churches St Lawrence’s and St Oswald’s offer Christening (or baptism) to babies, children and adults. When a baby or child is being baptised then his/her parents and God-parents speak for them, speak on their behalf. It is later, when those are were baptised as infants come to be Confirmed, that they themselves make statements of faith and Christian belief.
In baptism service we use the phrase “born again” because the baptised are being born into God’s church, they become adopted children of God and receive God’s Holy Spirit. Baptism in one sense makes a person a Christian because it is a sign and a seal of God’s grace (what God has done, is doing and will do). However, baptism isn’t the end of a person’s journey of faith and growth in faith, it is the beginning.
The parents and God-parents of a baby or child make the promise to bring the children up as a Christian, to bring them to church, to help them grow in faith, to teach them how to live as a Christian. These are significant and important promises and at both churches we try our best to help parents and God-parents fulfil their promises through family services. At Lower Peover (St Oswald’s) we are also blessed with a very good church primary school.
Any one who lives in the parish has the right to be baptise in the parish church, we also like to welcome those who regard us as their parish church and those who have attachments to us.
Download Baptism Form
Click on the image below to download the Baptism form. Complete the form and take it with you when you meet the Vicar to discuss things further.
