| The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson at Temple Balsall | ||
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St
Mary's Church
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What is baptism? Baptism is the act by which an individual declares their trust in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow the Christian way. Baptism also involves a commitment to the life of the Church. It is a gift from God of new life in Christ. For babies it is also a thanksgiving for the gift of this precious new life and a naming of your child. Can anyone be baptised? The people who are normally eligible to be baptised at St. Mary's are those that live within the parish or worship regularly at the Church. If you do not fall into either category we may still be able to baptise your child Please contact the Vicar to arrange a time to discuss what might be possible. What is required of parents and Godparents? The baptism service requires that, as parents and Godparents, you should ask yourselves whether you are prepared to give your child a Christian upbringing within the family of the Church. It asks that you will help the child to be regular in public worship and prayer by your teaching and example. It also asks you to promise to bring your child to confirmation, in due course. You do need to ask yourselves whether you can make these promises with honesty and trust. We want baptism it to be the start of a positive and rewarding relationship for you and for your family. St Mary's is here to help and support you. We will do all that we can to encourage you to keep in touch and offer advice and encouragement. We hope that you will want to keep in touch with us and support the life of our Church. The Baptism Service You can download a copy of the baptism service and an application form from this web site. To download for later printing or viewing off-line, right-click on the links below and choose 'save target as . . .', otherwise the your browser may attempt to open the page on-line. Sample Baptism Service Application for Baptism of
Child The Vicar will be in touch with you before the service to meet you and reflect with you on the service and its meaning for you and those to be baptised. You can download a Baptism Form and return it to The Master's House, Temple Balsall, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 0AL. The Baptism Form is also available from the Vicar - The Revd Dr James Woodward, tel. 01564 772415. If you begin to feel you want be welcomed into the church, then it is important to discuss it with the Vicar. St Mary's runs an informal course for those wishing to be baptised and confirmed and we can be flexible to fit around your particular needs. For an adult baptism you will be asked to make the promises of baptism
for yourself, repenting of your sins and turning to Christ. You must
declare before God that you accept the Christian faith. The priest who
baptises you will call you by your name and then use the words based
on Holy Scripture: The baptism of adults is normally followed immediately by confirmation and first Communion. People who have been baptised may be confirmed providing they are old enough to renew for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism by their Parents and Godparents. Confirmation usually takes place at a service of Holy Communion at which the Bishop presides. He will use the opportunity of the sermon to talk to the candidates about the responsibilities of adult Christian life and candidates will make their public profession of Faith. Any un-baptised candidates are baptised and the Bishop prays that the Holy Spirit will come upon those who are to be confirmed. They kneel before the Bishop who lays his hands on the head of each
saying: The service continues with the celebration of the Holy Communion where the newly confirmed join other in receiving the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. For further information or to arrange a meeting, please contact The Vicar, the Revd Dr James Woodward on 01564 772415 or you can write to him at: The Master's House, Temple Balsall, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0AL. and finally . . . This information comes with our very best wishes and prayers. It is our particular prayer that you will know the strengthening of God's loving care - and the welcome and support of the whole family of the Church to which you belong. |
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