You and Your Baby
The Church offers three services for you and your baby
Thanksgiving
A thanksgiving is an excellent way to mark the safe delivery of a child. It is explained more on the next page on the website. Anyone can have a Thanksgiving in our Churches no matter where you live. It takes place in the Sunday morning service.
Baptism / Christening
In this service the vicar prays for your child, makes the sign of the cross on their forehead and pours water over their head while saying ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.
.Churching
This short service thanks God for safe delivery of a child for both mum and baby. This service is from the 1662 Book Of Common Prayer If a family would like to have the churching of women service this can be arranged at very short notice, (24 hours) but it is wise to give the vicar a call to make sure he won't be on holiday.
The service takes between 5 and 10 minutes, and usually the mother comes with her partner or parents, it is a quiet service not an occasion for a party.
Christenings, and thanksgivings at Wentbridge Church may take place at 9.15am on Sundays in the morning service, or at 6.30pm during evensong, or rarely, subject to diary commitments at 12.15pm.
It is better for the christening to be in the main service so the church congregation can be present.
Christenings and thanksgivings at Darrington Church may take place at 10.45am on Sundays in the morning service, they are usually on the second Sunday of the month in the family service which is shorter and better for children and non-churchgoers to go to.
Christenings and thanksgivings at Smeaton Church may take place at 9.15am on Sundays in the morning service, or at 6.30pm during evensong, or very rarely subject to diary commitments at 12.15pm.
It is better for the christening to be in the main service so the church congregation can be present.
Emergency Baptism
If you are in hospital and your baby is very ill an emergency baptism may take place, either with the vicar, or a hospital chaplain - ask a nurse to contact the chaplain. All that is necessary is to say ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ While sprinkling the baby’s head with water three times.Most baptisms or christenings as they are commonly called take place in Church and you can read more on subsequent web pages.
Can we have another minister take the service?
The vicar works together with other clergy, so that they do all services together.
Please remember to ask the vicar if it is okay for another minister to take part.
Can we have our baptism in your church?
The following people qualify automatically
Those who live in the parish
Those who worship here and are on the Church membership list
The following are encouraged to have christenings here because of their connection with the parish
Those who were married here
Those whose parents or grandparents live here
Those who used to live here, but have moved
Those who were baptised or confirmed here
Those who have a grandparent buried in the Churchyard
Those who work here
Those who used to attend Church here or the Church school
Regular attenders at the mums and toddlers group, or who are enrolled in the pre-school
Otherwise you are encouraged to have your baby’s christening in your home parish. Thanksgivings and Churchings are open to anyone.