Baptisms (Christenings)

We are absolutely delighted that you are considering celebrating your child's baptism or thanksgiving  with us! Or if you are interested in an adult baptism that is great also!

Whether you are looking for a traditional baptism (christening) or a simpler way to say thank you to God, we are here to support you.

 

To help you plan for this special occasion, here is a guide to the services we offer and how the process works.

 

Choosing the Right Service for You and Your Family

We offer two beautiful ways to celebrate your child:

 

1. Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child

Are you looking for a way to say thank you to God for your new arrival, but aren't sure if a traditional christening is the right step just yet? This is a special, simple service where you can gather with friends and family, ask for God’s blessing, and pray for your baby. It is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of parents who see this as a preliminary step to Baptism, those who do not wish for their child to be baptized immediately, or those who simply recognize that something wonderful has happened and wish to give thanks to God. It allows you to joyfully celebrate your child without making formal, lifelong promises.

 

2. Baptism (Christening)

A Baptism is the formal sacrament of initiation into membership of the Church, the Body of Christ. Unlike a Thanksgiving service, a Baptism involves parents and godparents making formal, lifelong promises to raise the child in the Christian faith. This can also be for an adult being baptised though they do not have godparents.

 

What to Expect During a Service

For a Baptism: A baptism is a joyful, historic service full of beautiful symbols. While we will walk you through everything step-by-step during our preparatory meeting, here is a brief overview of what happens on the day:

 

• The Welcome and First Hymn: The service begins with a warm welcome to your family and guests, followed by our first congregational hymn to gather everyone together.

   

• The Declarations and Promises: You and your chosen godparents will be asked to make important promises to care for your child, pray for them, and help them follow the Christian faith.

   

• The Sign of the Cross: The minister will make the sign of the cross on your child’s forehead. This acts as an invisible badge, marking that they belong to Christ.

   

• The Water: We will gather around the church font, and the minister will pour blessed water over your child's head to formally baptize them.

   

• The Second Hymn and Prayers: We normally sing a second hymn just before the prayers that follow the baptism.

   

• The Baptism Candle: At the end of the service, your child is given a special baptism candle to take home as a reminder of the light of Christ.

   

For a Thanksgiving:

The Thanksgiving service is similarly joyful but centers around blessing the child and giving thanks. Please note that just like a baptism, we can include hymns in a Thanksgiving service too!

 

Important Details for Both Services

Whether you choose a Baptism or a Thanksgiving service, the following guidelines apply:

 

• When they happen: Services normally take place on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

   

• Cost: There is no charge for either service.

   

• Parish Connection: We gladly welcome families who live within our parish. If you happen to live outside the parish, we can still conduct the service as long as you have a historical link with Whitstable. Please note that this historical link is essential, but it is taken completely on trust and no formal proof is required.

   

How to Book and Next Steps

The booking process is exactly the same for both services.

 

1. Get in Touch Simply fill out the automated form on our website to send your details to our church office.

 

2. The Preparatory Meeting Once we receive your inquiry, we will reach out to arrange a friendly preparatory meeting to help you get ready for the big day. This meeting can take place in person at the church, or via a Zoom or WhatsApp video call if you live out of the area.

 

During our time together, we will:

 

• Walk you through the service step-by-step.

   

• Provide you with copies (digital or physical) of the service text so you can pass them on to your chosen godparents or supporters.

   

• Explore your hymn choices together (for both Baptisms and Thanksgivings).

   

• Give you a tour of the church and show you the location of the font, if we are meeting in person.

   

Please fill out the below form 

 

We look forward to celebrating this joyful milestone with your family!