We welcome you!

 Baptisms (Christenings) at St Mary’s, Hinckley

(See bottom of page for information on Adult Baptisms)

We are very happy for you, that God has given you a baby. It is one of the most wonderful things that can happen to us, and can bring us so much happiness.  But it is also a great responsibility. You will need all the help you can get! So that is why we welcome parents seeking baptism for their child. We want to help you  give your child the best possible upbringing.

 Like many churches today we have a period a preparation to help parents understand what Baptism means. In the Baptism Service parents promise to give their children a Christian upbringing, and we try to explain what this means.

 Here’s how we do things

 1.      The first thing to do, is to come along to our Sunday morning service, called ALL TOGETHER at 10.15am every Sunday. This is an all age service, where there will be lots of young families. You will be given a warm welcome. There are activities in the service for all ages. 

2.      After the service you need to speak to Bev Frettsome who is our Children’s & Young Families Worker. She will take your details, and come and visit you.

3.      We ask you to come to one of our monthly PARENTS’ EVENINGS in the coffee bar at St Mary's. We have a lively discussion about bringing up children and what Baptism involves.

4.      Godparents: please note that all godparents must be Baptised Christians themselves. We would like you to invite the Godparents you have chosen, to come to at least one ALL TOGETHER service, and to attend the parents evening.  We have a special leaflet for you to give Godparents to explain their role.

5.      All Baptisms take place at the ALL TOGETHER Service because in Baptism your child will be joining the community of the church. It is not a private affair, but a public celebration. These are always very happy occasions, and visitors always  remark on the lively service and the way everyone is welcomed and involved. Baptisms take place every other month, and the dates are fixed at the beginning of the year for the whole year. You are free to choose one of these dates subject to availability.   

6.      There is no charge for Baptism. But we ask you to make a donation on the day of the Baptism. If  possible use one of the blue envelopes for your donation – this is for those who pay income tax. It enables the church to claim back the tax you have paid on your donation, 28p in every pound. Please be generous.

We invite you to consider…..

 1.      MUMS & BABIES/TODDLERS GROUPS

a)      ‘Seedlings’ at St Mary’s Community Hall next to St Mary’s church, every Tuesday 1.30 – 3.00pm

b)      Busybodies at St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road every Friday morning at 10.00am

2.      Quarterly Church Magazine to keep you in touch with everything happening at  

      church (50p).

3.      GROWING TOGETHER :  from time to time we run this ten week course for adults to explore basic Christian belief. For some it may lead to Confirmation.

4.      HOUSE GROUPS : many of our church family meet regularly during the week in small groups to study the Bible, share news and get to know one another better. Perhaps you might be interested in joining one of these groups.

5.      MUSIC GROUPS : we have several music groups, including the  choir that sings for special occasions (Christmas, Easter, etc), the Senior and Junior Bands which lead the music at ALL TOGETHER, a Gospel Group ‘Free Spirits’, and an African drumming group.. If you are interested speak to one of us.

6.      CHILDREN &  YOUNG PEOPLE GROUPS : we have a whole range of groups – rainbows, brownies, guides, beavers, cubs and scouts meeting each week. Also a Church Lads and Church Girls  Brigade Marching Band.

7.      SOCIAL EVENTS: we invite you and your family to join in any of our social events. We believe these are important in helping to get to know one another better, and make new friends. We organize regular Sunday lunches, children’s Holiday Clubs, and picnics, and have lots of fun together. These are always advertised on our weekly News Sheet which we give out to all who attend church on Sunday, or  we can email it to you.

ADULT BAPTISM 

More and more adults are enquiring about baptism in the Church of England.

 The popular name for the ceremony is ‘Christening’ – a naming ceremony. But  it is actually Baptism, which is a service of commitment. When babies are baptised it is the parents who make a Christian commitment on behalf of the child. But with adults it is they who are making the  commitment.  

It is important that before you decide you want to be baptised that you realise that in baptism you will be making a solemn commitment to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, committing your life to him.

 These are the questions you will be asked: 

The Decision

Do you turn to Christ?

The Candidate replies: I turn to Christ.

(This means that you turn to follow Jesus Christ. You leave behind your selfish way of life, and commit yourself to following Jesus in the way of unselfish love) 

Do you repent of your sins?

The Candidate replies: I repent of my sins.

(This means you admit you are not perfect. There is much about your life which needs to change. All of us are often selfish and self-centred. You are sorry for all the wrong things you have done and resolve to begin a new life following the way of Jesus, the way of unselfish, sacrificial love – love that is prepared to give, and give, and forgive)

Do you renounce evil?

The Candidate replies: I renounce evil.

(This means you resolve to have nothing to do with anything evil. You put behind you any evil power. A sincere follower of Jesus Christ has nothing to fear from evil: it has no power over you.)

 Then comes the Signing with the Cross, when the candidate is signed by the priest with the sign of the cross on the forehead:

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

All Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ

against sin, the world and the devil,

and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,

restore in you the image of his glory,

and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.

All Amen.

 AT THE  FONT  

Before the actual moment of Baptism :

 Profession of Faith

Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized, our common faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?

The candidate:  I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son ( Jesus Christ) who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?

The candidate:  I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?

The candidate:  I believe and trust in him.  

This is the faith of the Church.

All This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The priest then says, as he/she pours water over your forehead:

N (your name) , I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All Amen.