Baptism (sometimes called Christening) is a joyful and special occasion — a time to celebrate the gift of life and to mark the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. Whether you are thinking about baptism for your child, or you are an adult considering baptism for yourself, we would love to welcome you.

Baptism for Babies and Children

In baptism, we thank God for the gift of a child and pray for them as they begin their journey of faith. During the service, parents and godparents make promises to help nurture the child in the Christian faith, with the support of the wider church family. Baptism is a visible sign of God’s love and a wonderful opportunity to gather family and friends for a celebration.

Thanksgiving Services

Some families prefer a Thanksgiving Service as a way of giving thanks for the birth of a child, without making the promises of baptism. This can be a beautiful, informal service, with the possibility of baptism at a later stage.

Baptism for Adults

Baptism is not just for children. If you are an adult who has never been baptised, but would like to make a commitment of faith, we would be delighted to explore this with you.

Next Steps

If you’re thinking about baptism, we would be very happy to meet with you, talk through what it means, and help you plan a service that feels right for you and your family. There’s no need to have all the answers — we are here to journey with you.

Please contact Rev Mandy Beck to find out more vicar@inthevale.org.uk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Baptisms (Christenings)

Do baptisms have to take place during a main Sunday service?
Not always. Baptisms are often part of our main service so that the whole church family can welcome you. However, we can also arrange a separate, more personal baptism service at a different time if that feels right for you.

Do parents and godparents need to be baptised?
Ideally, godparents should be baptised as they are making promises to support the child’s faith. If they are not, we can talk through other options — we want the people who are important to you to be involved.

Can older children or adults be baptised?
Absolutely! Baptism is for people of any age. We’d love to talk to you if you’re considering baptism for yourself or an older child.