In baptism, the parents thank God for His gift of life, make a decision to start their child on the journey of faith and ask for the Church’s support. For the baby, baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.
■What Happens during the Service?
Baptism normally takes place during the main Sunday service (usually in the morning), so that your child can be seen to be joining the family of the Church and be welcomed into membership. In turn the Church will promise to support and pray for you and your child.
The priest will make sure you know where to sit and when you need to move. Some parts of the service will be for you and the godparents, some will be for the whole congregation to join in.
Part of the baptism service will normally take place at the front of the church. But for the baptism itself, parents and godparents are usually asked by the priest to gather around the font. (The font is a large basin on a pedestal, containing the water for baptism.)
The priest will ask the parents and godparents to make declarations on behalf of the child.
■Making Decisions and Promises
When you bring your child for baptism, you will be asked to declare publicly on behalf of your child that you believe in God and that you will bring your child up to follow Jesus.
On behalf of your child, you will also be asked to answer that you have decided to turn away from everything which is evil or sinful and instead to turn towards Christ.
Your declaration and that of the baby’s godparents will be made in front of the church congregation; the local Christian community will promise to support and pray for you and your child.
■Symbols and Actions Used during the Service
A number of important symbols and actions will be used during the service itself:
◆ The Sign of the Cross