What?
Becoming part of the Christian family around the world through the ceremony of baptism is one of the most important choices we can make either for ourselves or for our children. Christening is another name for this same service which takes place only once in a lifetime. It is a time for celebration and commitment. Often this service is conducted for infants, with parents and godparents making the promises on their behalf. But we are finding an increasing number of adults who were not christened as children deciding to be baptised, so they make the promises for themselves.
Where?
We conduct baptisms in all three of the churches in the Parish – Horndon on the Hill, Orsett or Bulphan. Baptisms normally take place in the parish where you live unless there is a strong connection to another church. If the baptism is taking place here and you live elsewhere, we ask that you request permission from your local vicar first.
When?
All baptisms are conducted in the main church service, normally a Family Service, because the very nature of baptism is that we are welcoming a child into the Christian family of the Church. This way your child can be welcomed into the church family who will pray for them. But because of the size of our churches and the number of guests often invited we try to keep the limit to two family groups at any one service.
Godparents?
For children being baptised, godparents are chosen. Usually this would be two godfathers and one godmother for a boy, and two godmothers and one godfather for a girl. Each godparent should normally have been baptised, as there are important Christian promises that they make on behalf of the child. If the person you would like to have as a godparent is not already baptised, please have a chat with the clergy and we may be able to arrange for their baptism as well.
How do we arrange a baptism?
You will be asked to attend a Baptism preparation meeting and at that evening, we discuss the meaning of baptism and things like the responsibility of parents and Godparents, the Baptism service and give you the opportunity to ask questions. At the end of the meeting we can check the diary and you will be able to book your Baptism.
We have one baptism preparation meeting each month, alternating as follows:
- In St Giles and All Saints Church, Orsett on the second Monday at 7.30pm.
- In St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Horndon on the Hill on the second Saturday at 12 noon.
No booking is required.
Click here to view planned Baptism Preparation Meetings on our online calendar.
Should you have any questions please contact our Parish Baptism Coordinator, Christine Mortimer: