Christenings

Christening or Baptism is the way we become Christians

There are other ways in which this can happen, but this is the formal way, given to us by Jesus. Baptism is a sacrament, a physical sign (pouring on us of water), given us by Jesus, with the words by which God gives us His grace (His power): ‘I baptise you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.

Would you like to get baptised?

  • At the baptism of the young, parents and godparents promise that they will bring up the child as a Christian. Each child requires three godparents who must be baptised (not necessarily Church of England).

    Two must be of the same sex as the child, and the child’s parents can be godparents.

  • If you would like your Christening to take place at St Gabriel’s, we invite you to our 10.30 Sunday service to say hello to Father Owen and see what our worship is like. We have babies and very young children in our Church, and facilities for them, so please bring them along.

    If you can’t come to that service, please ring Father Owen to discuss.

  • Ideally Baptism takes place at the 10.30 service after which the baptised adult or child receives a certificate and has their name entered in our register. It also may be possible for a Baptism to be arranged at a time other than during the 10.30 service.

  • To prepare for the baptism, we suggest you contact Father Owen. In the week before the service we arrange for you will meet with Father Owen to finalise details and to go through the service.