To want a bloody christening?!?

[Pumpertrumper]

Forgive me, I know with all that’s going on it’s not a priority but I’m desperate to christen my DS with at least a few family members present.

There just seems to be no guidance as to when funerals/weddings/christenings might resume (in any form) and I’m getting fed up and frustrated at all of the pictures/posts/reports of people ditching lockdown and going about their everyday business. It’s gone back to normal pretty much where we live, street parties, beach trips, kids playing out on the streets.
Because of this I’ve given up hope that we’ll reach a point we’re told it’s ‘ok’ to be normal again before we’re plunged into a big second wave.

Would it really be that impossible, our rural village church? 10-15 people all very generously spaced out.

DS is my first baby and I’ve been suffering MH since long before his birth (horrible pregnancy) I’m fed up as was so looking forward to a nice christening and now there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

I know you've been really ill, and things assume more importance when thats been the case. But as someone who has now had no funeral for either parent, and is expecting to do the same for my MIL in the coming weeks, can I just ask you to reflect a bit.
Go and stand in the garden with your parents and get them to tell the baby they love them and welcome them to the world. Take some photos of your parents behind the pram.
Because I couldn't even say goodbye to my mum and dad because people needed protecting, and so I think enabling church funerals should come waay up the list before christenings

How would you feel about having a family garden party for LO to welcome them to the world/family/friends. Maybe your DF could write a speech to give and you could all toast the future of the baby. So have a ceremony in lieu, so to speak. Then have the official christening when you can, but the pressure is off a little.

If you do speak to your pastor can I suggest you moderate your language.

Also churches may not be open for physical services but a lot has been going on behind the scenes, online and also in the community so they haven't been doing nothing.

Why are you getting your child christened? If you are doing it so they'll go to heaven, ask any born again Christian, they will tell you that won't do it.

If you're doing it for a knees up you are doubly unreasonable.

Do you want a christening or a party? I know it's tough especially without the usual visitors when you have a baby but the sacrament and a 'do' are different.

My daughters baptism got cancelled. Her father wanted her done before 12 weeks (I think this is his culture) it was already going to be later then that now she will probably be more like 8-9 months. Originally we were going to have a bit of a party afterwards but now it will just be family followed by a bbq

@Somanysocks that’s shitty. OP is a church goer who recently moved to a new area. Nothing she’s posted suggests that this is an excuse for a party or an insurance policy to have her baby’s name on the pearly gates door! It sounds like she wants to enjoy the sacrament and the shared welcoming of her child into the Christian family, and allow relatives to witness that joyful occasion, who may not live much longer. It’s unfair to suggest she just wants a party.

It's not shitty at all. Have you read all the OP posts? OP has suggested that the church just needs to up its game for social distancing so she can have a private service. I'm doubtful she is a regular church goer because then she'd know that it's not the case. As PP advised earlier, christenings are done are part of the wider service with the congregation taking a part. OP is obviously having a tough time personally but she can't blame the bloody vicar for just not thinking outside the box.

@CMOTDibbler I'm so very sorry for your losses.

I just wonder if, like other services have done, adaptations could be made and practises put in place to allow churches to get back to serving the community in some way.

"get back to..." . I'm not aware of any Churches that have stopped. Are you aware how offensive that is ? To all the people doing a huge amount of work in the name of the Church, (see @PennyArrowBar's excellent post).

We have a "retired" minister in my local Church who takes over 300 funeral services a year in normal circumstances. He is 79 though and has had to 'shield', so all the service he normally takes, will have had to be taken by someone else. That's not counting the additional deaths of course.

Another local Church near me has set up and been running a massive foodbank

I agree with all the other posters who have said that a Christening can happen at any time. The services we need to focus on are funerals and services of thanksgiving for the lives of folk who have passed away without having to have a funeral service.

I've been involved in many discussions over the weeks about arrangements for all sorts of things to do with the Church's operation, and I have to say 'working out how we can do a baptism' hasn't made it close enough to the op of the meetings agendas to have been discussed yet. We are focusing on how we can look after people without the virus spreading any further.