Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How much is a reasonable donation for a Christening?

59 replies

Beagle840 · 28/08/2018 19:17

Just that really. I know that it is donation only to the church so no right or wrong amount but I literally have no idea what would be considered an acceptable amount. I am not looking for a minimum, as I think it is only right to pay a reasonable sum but on the other hand, money is quite tight and can't afford to go too OTT! Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
SoyDora · 28/08/2018 19:52

Ok fair enough. As the churches I’ve been to have put out a plate or an envelope, I assume they’re happy to receive cash donations so I’ll continue Smile

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 28/08/2018 19:52

I’ve never been in a CofE or RC church where a collection plate wasn’t passed around.

CraftyGin · 28/08/2018 19:52

Why would you give an envelope of cash to the priest? He/she gets a salary/stipend.

Anything from a baptism, basically the cost of the certificate, is PCC income. As a charity, any income needs to go through the books.

ParkheadParadise · 28/08/2018 19:56

CraftyGin
In the Catholic church its always been like that.
Funerals, Christenings,weddings.

CraftyGin · 28/08/2018 19:58

Shocking. They don’t have much regard for the law, then.

Silvertap · 28/08/2018 20:02

I'm amazed at the pgs that gets £15k a WEEK in giving. Can I have some tips please?!

I've been a church treasurer. If you were having a child christened in our church we wouldn't expect anything. If you gave nothing we'd be happy you wee getting christened. Having said that, if you can afford it around £100 is normal. Church member will have probably cleaned the church for you, prepared coffee and set out extra chairs etc. At my church we get about 20 people to a regular service. A christening will often add on 120 people which is a lot to cope with.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/08/2018 20:03

Do you mean to have your child christened? If it's the church where you are a regular attendee then just give what you normally give.
We once went to a Catholic christening which wasn't part of a regular service. It was a separate service just for the christening Confused. Most odd. I would imagine the parents would have given substantial donation to cover the church being opened and a service bei g held just for them.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 28/08/2018 20:10

15k is going to be a bit tricky if you’ve only got 20 people, silver. Even with gift aid, that’s a significant contribution. Grin

isittheholidaysyet · 28/08/2018 20:17

Catholic churches don't charge for baptism. But it is expected that the parents give a donation to the priest.

I think I would say £50? But my last priest told me not to. (We are regular attenders and involved up to the eyeballs) So I gave it to the church instead, through the parish secretary.

(I think Anglican churches do it differently? Catholics have the same donation only system for weddings and funerals. But I know Anglican churches have wedding fees set by law)

isittheholidaysyet · 28/08/2018 20:21

We once went to a Catholic christening which wasn't part of a regular service. It was a separate service just for the christening

Quite normal in Catholic circles, though it does vary from place to place.

(I actually had this conversation at my Catholic church a few weeks ago. Though the other way round. A long-standing parishioner though it was UNusual to have the baptism in the Sunday Mass.)

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 28/08/2018 20:27

Completely the opposite here, its. Never been to a CofE baptism during a service, but been to loads as a separate service. There seems one every 2-3 weeks during mass in my RC church.

isittheholidaysyet · 28/08/2018 20:30

I think both ways are 'normal' for English Catholics.
I've moved around a bit and lived in quite a few different parishes.
Might be different in other countries.

Original poster
Beagle840 · 28/08/2018 22:15

Apologies for not making it clear from the outset, but the christening is for my child and it is at an Anglican church which I attend on a semi-regular basis but have not been doing so for very long. Thank you for the replies so far.

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 28/08/2018 22:18

You don’t need to make a donation for the baptism, OP. No anonymous brown envelopes with cash. That’s not how we do it in the COfE.

However, if you feel this is the church you belong to, you could consider making a regular contribution. It is up to you.

switswoo81 · 28/08/2018 22:19

We were given an envelope to fill 50 Euro for priest 20 for sacristan . No ambiguity

whenwillsummerend · 28/08/2018 22:20

At our church families usually give between £50 and £200. The usual is around £100 but please only give what you can afford.

CraftyGin · 28/08/2018 22:23

I'm amazed at the pgs that gets £15k a WEEK in giving. Can I have some tips please?!

Our annual budget for ministry is about £700 - £800k That doesn’t include building projects, which are separate from PGS. Recent changes to Parish Share means that we can put more into ministry, PTL.

Our treasurer is amazing. He is very compelling when he does his annual speech.

Parttimewasteoftime · 28/08/2018 22:29

We gave 50 pounds for our DSons christenings but we had church for just our family. Was very special to us as a family and am sure my family donation matched ours. However our vicar said all babies are gifts from gods and a christening is a gift so give what you can op.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 29/08/2018 07:31

Sorry to derail thread a bit but why would you have a separate service for a christening. Not meaning to be offensive, I'm genuinely curious.

I'm URC and christening are always part of the service, because the baby is being welcomed into the family of the church. I e also been to some CofE baptisms which habe been part of the main service. I've only been to one Catholic christening and that was done as a separate service. Does christening have a different meaning in the Catholic church?

AppleKatie · 29/08/2018 07:41

. Does christening have a different meaning in the Catholic church?

Kind of yes. To catholics its the sacrament of baptism that is important and between God and the Child.

In the URC as you say it is much more about welcoming a child into the church family. To catholics it is more a literal bringing into the whole faith rather than a specific church.

That is my understanding anyway.

Roystonv · 29/08/2018 07:41

Off topic, adult ds has just gone to a c of e christening during a normal service and it took 2.5 hours! Lots of tired, cranky children (and parents) apparently; maybe that is why people opt for a more personal service.

Dermymc · 29/08/2018 07:42

Crafty you're obviously in a huge Church.

Our local small semi rural parish church would really appreciate your donation. Organisations can claim gift aid on loose plate donations too (up to approx £8k depending on other tax efficient giving).
You can also fill out a gift aid envelope which means the church can claim gift aid as long as you pay tax.

glintandglide · 29/08/2018 07:46

£50

There is always an expectation of a donation from the parents. Separate from
The usual plate passing donations

aperolspritzplease · 29/08/2018 07:46

We have the priest £100.

CraftyGin · 29/08/2018 07:50

Off topic, adult ds has just gone to a c of e christening during a normal service and it took 2.5 hours! Lots of tired, cranky children (and parents) apparently; maybe that is why people opt for a more personal service.

How long is their normal service?

Our baptisms fit into the normal service length. There might be a slightly shorter sermon and a song cut out.

Even when we are using the pool, it might just be 10 minutes longer than normal.

Swipe left for the next trending thread