Baptism Policy
Baptism is the sacrament of Christian initiation, signifying all that God does in bringing men and women into his covenant people by grace. It particularly signifies the washing clean of sin, and the union with Christ in his death and resurrection, which are both central to becoming and being a Christian. As such, it visibly and outwardly marks a person’s entrance into, and membership of, the church. The sign of baptism is rightly administered on the condition of repentance and faith in the recipient. This sacrament of entry into the church should in principle be administered at one of the church’s main meetings.
Our understanding is that the Bible and the Church of England allow children to be baptised where their parents and godparents are Christian believers and are resolved to give public expression -in word and deed - to their Christian belief.
Policy Aims: to reflect this understanding in our practice; and accordingly, to assist parents who approach us - whether current regular members of Holy Cross Church, Felsted and the Priory Church of Little Dunmow or not - to decide whether baptism is appropriate for their child. For those who decide not to proceed to baptism, we consider that a service of thanksgiving should be available. We recognise our responsibility to make our policy clear, through published leaflets and personal contact, to all who approach us, at the first point of contact, as well as to current church members.
Requirements: All parents are to attend a course of preparation. The date for baptism will be agreed after the course is completed. Baptism will to be administered in a main Sunday service. Thanksgiving services will be available as alternative to baptism to those completing the course.
Procedure:
1) On the first parental approach, brief details are taken in writing, and an introductory leaflet explaining the parish policy is given. Arrangements are made for the Vicar or member of the baptism ministry team to visit. The Vicar or member of the baptism ministry team are available at anytime to explain any issues arising from the leaflet.
2) Preparation consists of one or two meetings covering the Christian faith and Christian Baptism. The vicar or member of the baptism ministry team will come to you for this preparation discussion. A preparation course may also be run in church with a number of families invited to attend together should circumstances allow. Potential godparents are encouraged to attend these sessions.
3) On completion, parents may apply either to have their child baptised, or for a thanksgiving service, and a date will be agreed. A further clergy visit may follow to discuss the service.
4) Baptism will take place in one of the main Sunday services. A Thanksgiving service will normally take place in one of the main Sunday services, but may be offered on a Sunday afternoon or at another time convenient to the family.
5) At least one parent must themselves be baptised; if unconfirmed, parents are urged to consider this step subsequently.
6) Godparents should themselves be (as a minimum) baptised and aware of the meaning of baptism. A pre-baptism leaflet for godparents should be produced and godparents should indicate that they are comfortable and committed to the statements they will make during the baptism service.
7) The Cradle Roll would include (separately) the names of all children who receive either a Baptism or a Thanksgiving. Families are to be followed up not only by annual birthday card but also by specific invitations to church occasions.
8) Anomalous cases:
(a) All parents - married, unmarried, lone - to be welcome to attend the preparation sessions.
(b) Applications for baptism from “lone parents” should be treated no differently from those of married parents.
(c) We would aim to invite parents living together who are unmarried to understand the Bible’s teaching on marriage and to consider whether their chosen lifestyle is in accordance with the promises contained in the baptism service.
(d) Once a child has been baptised under this policy, we reserve the right to decline applications to baptise further children from the same family where, since the last baptism, the family have not been regularly involved on Sundays at Holy Cross, Felsted or the Priory Church at Little Dunmow. This is on the grounds that the baptism promises imply regular church involvement. This policy will be made clear at the prepa¬ration sessions.
(e) Approaches from non-Electoral Roll parents living outside the parish to be dealt with on the basis of pastoral need by the clergy. Parents will in the first instance be encouraged to approach their local parish where they are likely to have the most ongoing contact. In exceptional circumstances if it is agreed to proceed with a bapism in Felsted or Little Dunmow then the consent of the minister of the parish of residence will be sought.
9) A baptism ministry team is to be established, led by the Vicar and consisting of church members willing to assist with visiting and the preparation course.
10) This policy will be periodically reviewed by the Vicar and Parochial Church Councils.
Holy Cross, Felsted & The Priory Church of Little Dunmow. Revised November 2006
