Baptisms

St Mary’s Church will baptise any child who lives in the parish or the children of parents who, though now living elsewhere, retain strong family links with Horncastle.

We currently baptise about 15 – 20 people (both children and adults) each year. Through Baptism, we are made Christ’s or Christened. We belong to Him. We are also happy to baptise older children and adults – though we encourage adults to take the opportunity to explore their own faith before they are baptised.

When can we have a Baptism?

We offer you two options for a Baptism. Your child can be baptised within any of our 10.00 am services, either during our Family service on the third Sunday of the month or at our sung eucharist services on the other Sundays. Unfortunately, we will not be able to do baptisms in services which fall on particular festivals of the church’s year. A 10:00 am service with a baptism will last just over an hour.

Your child can be baptised outside our normal worship pattern at 12:15 pm on any of the remaining Sundays of the month. A 12:15 pm baptism does not have a Eucharist so, lasts about 30 minutes.

 What happens at a Baptism?

During the service each child will have the sign of the cross marked on their forehead and have the water of baptism poured on their head in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and at the end of the service they will be given a lighted candle (held by another member of the family!) and be invited to ‘shine like a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father’.

All these actions combine to assure the person being Baptism that they belong to Christ, have a once and for all assurance of God’s forgiving love and have become part of the Christian community.

What are we promising at a Baptism?

Bringing your child to be baptised requires some degree of commitment from the parents and godparents, so please note that Godparents should be baptised themselves for this reason. During the service parents and godparents are asked:

To say that they are willing to encourage the children, by teaching and by personal example, to pray and be nurtured within the community of faith.

To declare their own belief in the Christian Faith.

A child would usually have three godparents. The godparents should be over 16 – in order to be fully aware of the responsibility which they are taking on.

How much does a Baptism cost?

Nothing. There is no fee for a baptism, but we do always invite baptism families and their guests to make a donation to the church!

Can I be Baptised as an adult?

Yes – it is never too late to think about being baptised, though since you will be making the promises for yourself you will need to have a conversation with the Rector about your beliefs and your desire to be baptised. You may also want to have your faith confirmed at a service of confirmation.

How do I arrange a Baptism?

Please telephone our Group Administrator – Debbie Knight on 01507 525600 or email enquiries@stmaryshorncastle.org.uk.

The Church of England has an excellent new website telling you everything you might need to know about Baptisms, so please look up this link.