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At a christening God acts. This is not simply a ceremony we put on for a family. Your child is washed clean, given a share in God's own life, and made to belong to Christ for good. It cannot be undone, and it never has to be done again.
Christians turn their backs on everything cruel and false, and turn to Christ. A child too young to speak turns through their parents and godparents, who make the promises on their behalf and undertake to bring them up knowing them.
The building is the same as it was, and so are the promises. Your child would be joining something very old and still very much alive.
How do I arrange a christening?
Please talk to The Rev'd Francesco Aresco, our Rector, at rector@monkenhadley.church or on 020 3672 5563. Nothing needs to be settled first, and there is no form to fill in. Beforehand we meet a few times to talk it all through, and godparents are very welcome to come.
What happens at the service?
A christening takes place within a service of worship, with hymns and music in the tradition of the Church of England. Those coming for baptism first turn away from evil and turn to Christ, and are signed with the cross. Where the candidate is a child, the parents and godparents make that turning on their behalf, and promise to bring them up in the pursuit of what is true, good and beautiful, by faith in Jesus. The baptism itself takes place at our ancient font, where water is poured three times over the head in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The congregation then welcomes the newly baptised, who is given a candle lit from our Easter candle, so that the light of Christ goes home with them.
At the end of the service we give every newly baptised person a small wooden bird, made by hand. It is theirs to keep for life. Jesus told us to look at the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, and to trust the God who feeds and clothes them.
What does it cost?
Nothing. There is no charge for a christening.
What if we are not ready for the promises?
If you would like to give thanks for your child but are not ready for the promises a christening asks, we can offer another service instead. Do ask about that.
Do please get in touch.