UPDATED JANUARY 2022
Baptism / Christening
Within the Methodist Church we offer services of Baptism (sometimes called Christening) for babies, children, and adults. Baptism is a ceremony during which water is prayerfully sprinkled onto a child or adult’s forehead and they are welcomed into a lifelong relationship with God’s world-wide family, the Church.
Our minister John will be delighted to have a conversation with you about what Baptism involves and whether it is right for you and your family. The marital status of the parents is not a factor in the Churches decision to Baptise anyone.
Some information about Baptism
Infant Baptism
The birth of a child is a special occasion, it calls for a celebration, and many people want to find a way of giving thanks to God for the arrival of the child, as well as having the opportunity to publicly declare that the child is a part of the wider family of God.
Here at Hedge End Methodist Church, we welcome all children as part of our church family and a service of Baptism would normally take place in our 10:30am morning service. Our minister John will be very happy to talk to you about what the service entails, which Sundays are available and answer any questions you may have.
Child Baptism
The main difference between an Infant and Child Baptism is that in the service of Infant Baptism the parent(s) make promises on behalf of the baby, whereas in a Child Baptism the child being Baptised is invited to make a promise in addition to those made by the parent(s). Once again all of this can be talked over with John.
Adult Baptism
This is sometimes known as a Believers Baptism. This is available for people who haven’t been Baptised as an infant or child and who want to make a commitment to following the way of Jesus within the life of the Church.
Within the Methodist Church those who seek Adult Baptism are usually welcomed as church members in the same service. And yes, John can give you more information about this.
Alternative Service of Thanksgiving
Service of Thanksgiving
You may feel that an Infant or Child Baptism Service isn’t for you or your family, but that you still want to celebrate the arrival of your child.
The Service of Thanksgiving is for those who want to have the opportunity to give thanks for the arrival of their child, but don’t feel at this moment that other parts of the Baptism service are for them.
Water is not prayerfully used during a Service of Thanksgiving and the promises made by parents and godparents are different to those they would make during a Baptism Service. Our minister John will be very happy to discuss the differences between Services with you.
Some more information
Our minister John is not at Hedge End Methodist Church every week so please don’t set your heart on a particular date for a Baptism until he has checked his and the Churches availability.
Baptisms nearly always take place during a Sunday morning service. This is at 10.30am and lasts for about an hour. This could possibly be varied depending upon your family circumstances – so please ask!
A baptism is free! (Although you will be invited to make a free will offering as part of the service).
You will be given a certificate and a candle for your child to remind you of the special day.
Parents and godparents are invited to make promises as a response to God’s love for your child during the Service.
Once you have contacted us about a Baptism (please use the form below to do so) our minister John will contact you to arrange a meeting to talk things through with you.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Hedge End Methodist Church 