Christenings
Children are welcome in St John’s. There’s a wonderful story in the Bible when, going against the culture of the day, Jesus welcomed some children by holding them in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16). We seek to reflect Jesus's attitudes.
If you would like to have your child Christened, there are two services you can choose from:
Baptism involves parents and godparents making promises to bring their child up in the Christian faith and to bring them to church.
It’s a very special service and is most appropriate where the parents feel they can make these commitments in front of their family and friends and before God with integrity.
We ask the parents, and ideally the godparents, to come to a baptism preparation group. It’s a great opportunity to meet others who are having their children baptised, and discover more about what baptism means and what happens in the service.
This is a service where, as the name implies, we give thanks to God for the birth of a child, and ask for God’s blessing on the child and parents.
The service is ideally suited to those who want their child decide for themselves when they are older whether they want to be baptized. It is also a good option where the parents are not ready to make the baptismal promises, but nevertheless do believe in God and want to mark the start of their child’s life with a special service in church.
If you would like to have your child christened, please contact the vicar, Keith Dunnett, on 01274 880373.
Why not come to a Thanksgiving Service or a Baptism service at St Johns, so you can see what they are like, and start to become part of our worshipping community.
Q. What is the difference between christening and baptism?
A. There is no difference although the word baptism is only used in church.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The service is free.
Q. How many godparents does my child need?
A. All godparents have to have been baptised and confirmed, or to be regular church goers. This is important because the godparents will stand in church and declare to everyone that they are followers of Jesus and will help bring the child up in the Christian faith. Traditionally it is two female one male godparents for a girl and two male one female for a boy. What is more important than number, however, is that those folk chosen are happy to say the baptism promises and will take the spiritual development of your child seriously. This means regularly praying for your child.
Brian and Andrea Cresswell have had both their daughters, Aimie and Emma, baptized at St John’s.
St. John's Church: Clayton Lane: Clayton: Bradford: BD14 6AX