Were you baptised?
Many people were baptised (christened) as a baby but have had little contact with the Church since. Baptism is, nevertheless, permanent and cannot be cancelled or repeated. So, if you were baptised as a baby, in whatever church that took place, you are still baptised and you cannot be baptised again. Some people do not know whether they have been baptised or not. It is important to find out from parents or older relatives and to discover where it took place, because you may need to obtain a baptismal certificate.From another denomination?
If you are a Christian from another denomination and feel drawn towards joining the Church of England, the way this is done will depend partly on your present denomination. If you have been baptised, and confirmed by a bishop, in another denomination then, after a period of preparation, you will be received into the Church of England, probably by a bishop during a confirmation service. If you have not been confirmed, or even baptised, then you will be prepared for this along with other candidates.Christian initiation
If you have not been baptised, that is the place to start. In the early days of the Church, new Christians were often baptised at Easter. After a course of instruction in the faith, they publicly entered into a new life. They repented of their sins, were assured of God's forgiveness and were baptised, often in a river. This was a symbol that they had died to their old life and, born again, been given a share in the Holy Spirit who came on Jesus at his baptism and, after his resurrection, was given to his disciples. Generally, in the early Christian centuries, those who joined the Church were not only baptised with water: the bishop also laid his hands on them in blessing, a rite which later developed into what we know as confirmation.
Admission to the Church was completed by their receiving Holy Communion for the first time. Baptism, confirmation and first communion still form the pattern today. Some churches still receive their new adult members at Easter.
Adult baptism
If you begin to feel you want to be received into the Church, discuss it with the vicar or one of the parish clergy. They will probably suggest that you be prepared for baptism and confirmation at the same time and that you join a confirmation class. Every parish runs an informal course for its confirmation candidates, usually one for adults and one for young people. Sometimes, adult candidates are prepared individually.You will normally be confirmed at the same service in which you are baptised. In most churches a baptism takes place at the font, where water will be poured over your head. Some churches have facilities for baptising people by immersion. You will be asked to make the promises of baptism, repenting of your sins and turning to Christ. You must declare before God that you accept the Christian faith. The priest who baptises you will call you by your name and then use the words based on Holy Scripture: 'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' The baptism of adults is normally followed immediately by confirmation and first communion.
Confirmation People who have been baptised may be confirmed provided they are old enough to renew for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism by their parents and godparents. Though the practice in some local churches differs, it is usual for people only to be admitted to Holy Communion once they have made that affirmation of faith and received Confirmation.
Confirmation usually takes place at a service of Holy Communion at which the bishop presides. He will use the opportunity of the sermon to talk to the candidates about the responsibilities of adult Christian life and they will then make their public profession of faith. Any unbaptised candidates are baptised and the bishop prays that the Holy Spirit will come upon those who are to be confirmed. They kneel before the bishop, who lays his hands on the head of each, saying: Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. Or he might use this longer prayer: Defend, O Lord, this thy servant with thy heavenly grace, that (s)he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until (s)he comes unto thine everlasting kingdom. If the bishop uses the shorter prayer, a version of the longer one is said by the whole congregation.
The service continues with a celebration of the Holy Communion, where the newly-confirmed join in receiving the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Universal Church It is in baptism that God receives you into Christ's Body, which makes you a member of the Universal Church.
So the new Christian has joined something much bigger than the local congregation that has just welcomed him or her: and bigger than the Church of England. He or she is now a member of the universal or catholic Church, which stretches through history, across the world and into eternity.
Please come to the Church any Saturday morning at 10.30am or phone 0121 551 2097.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I book a Baptism at St Andrew's?
The first step is to phone the Vicar on 0121 551 2097, (or E-mail him), or come to Church on any Saturday morning at 10.30am.
Q. Do I have to live locally?
Baptism is available to all who live locally in the parish, and to all who come and belong to St Andrew's.
Q. How much does it cost?
Nothing. Baptisms are free.
Q. What is the difference between a Baptism & a Christening?
There is no difference, although a Christening tends to refer to the baptism of small children. Nowadays many people are baptised as adults. But you can only be baptised once - baptism is the entry into the Christian family.
Q. What happens at a Baptism?
At a baptism you have water poured over you three times. The sign of the cross is made on your forehead with holy oil, and you are given a lighted candle. These are all symbolic: the water symbolises that all humanity has been washed clean because Christ died for us. The oil is a reminder that through the love of God we are made pure and the candle is a reminder that the light of Christ is with us still. Baptism is one of the Church sacraments. A sacrament is the outward sign of something real - and baptism is God's love given to us unconditionally.
Q. But aren't certain promises made at Baptism?
Yes: parents & Godparents promise to tell the person being baptised about the love God has for them and acknowledge that they are in need of God's forgiving love.
Q. What is confirmation?
At the service of Confirmation, you confirm the vows made at your baptism and receive from the Bishop's hands the promise of God's Holy Spirit to help and guide you in following the way of Christ.
Q. What if I was baptised in a different church?
A baptism in one church is recognised in another: there is no need to be baptised again.
If you have any further questions please contact one of the clergy. We will always try to accommodate you.