Baptisms & Thanksgivings

We are delighted to be able to baptise babies, children & adults at St John's. Baptism is an important stage on the lifelong Christian journey - a public declaration of faith where promises are made by you or made on behalf of your child, & where prayers for God's blessing are said.

Baptism (or 'Christening' - it means the same thing) for babies & young children over a font, where their heads are sprinkled with water. 

However, for teenagers & adults we offer baptism by full immersion in a small pool or 'baptistry' that is in the floor of the Worship Area. Adults can also renew their baptism vows that were taken on their behalf as babies or children, again by full-immersion. These services tend to take place once or twice a year, depending on demand.

Alternatively, some parents might want to celebrate the gift of a child with a service of Thanksgiving. During this service, parents and families give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and everyone prays for family life. A Thanksgiving service is not a Baptism - there are no promises to make about the Christian faith, & no water is involved - but the child will be blessed and prayed for, and supporting friends and the wider church promise to support the parents in bringing up their child.

If you'd like to discuss having a service of Baptism or Thanksgiving for your child(ren), or if you'd like to discuss being baptised or renewing your baptism vows yourself, do please get in touch with the Church Office.

Please click here to download an Enquiry Form which will be a useful way for us to gather some initial information about you, & then from there we can work out a suitable date for the service with you.