To think that if you are having your child baptised during a Communion service you should take your child up to be blessed?

[Klio]

I would like to make it clear that I am not expecting people who have their child baptised to attend church on a regular basis but........ in the last six weeks five of our Sunday morning Communion services have included a Baptism and in every case not a single member of the Baptismal party (about half the congregation) have gone forward for either Communion or a blessing, even the parents of the child being baptised have not taken the child forward for a blessing.

In every case the priest has made a general invitation to everyone to come forward for Communion/blessing, although I know that the importance of the blessing is explained to parents as part of the baptismal preparation course parents undertake. Also in the last baptism one of the baptismal party actually made a phone call during Communion to tell someone that "they're just doing the bread and wine thing but we'll be out of here soon"

Should people who have their child baptised during a Communion service take their child up for a blessing or AIBU?

Sorry, not religious so don't understand the whole communion thing.

I do think you should only get your child christened if you believe in the christian faith though. Not sure whether I'm bothered by whether the parents should be practising or not - just that they should believe.

both my dc's were christened as part of the service. tbh I think it made it more special as the whole congregation got involved.
very ignorant not to take connunion imo(or a blessing)

I would do now, but not when I was younger.

at one of the guests making a call though.

I suppose the thing is that people get their children baptised for a whole variety of reasons, often because they are Christians, practising or not, but also (in cases that I have personal experience of) because it it the perceived "right" thing to do.

As regards Communion, to me as a practising Christian I believe that the Communion (taking of bread and wine) is the epicentre of my faith and one of the mainstays of my religious life. I suppose I just feel that it is such an important part of Christian life that anyone getting their child baptised during a Communion service should take their child up for a blessing,

Hope this makes sense saymyname!

What type of Christian is that? I wasn't aware of a blessing when ds was christened (C of E). I didn't take communion, but then I'm an atheist so it was quite a compromise for me to take part at all IMO. There wasn't a prep course either as far as I know (I wouldn't have gone if there was).

I agree 2shoes, the whole thing about baptism is the welcoming of a new child into the church congregation

I known unknown, couldn't believe it when the guy made a call, completely oblivious to what was going on about him. Does this open another whole new can of worms tho' as to whether people are now being brought up in an unchurched environment, without any real knowledge as to what what goes on in church and how church services are conducted?

CofE Bran - only Communion if part of the Sunday Communion service, not if a special service unless requested

I see your point Klio. Are you only able to take communion if you are christened yourself? I thought I remembered that from somewhere but perhaps not.

the man making the call was a knobhead. even a non church goer should have the common sense to not do that.

There was definitely communion as it was a normal service, but I've never heard of a blessing in addition to communion. Perhaps not every church does it, is it a whole seperate part of the service?

Is there a really good church school near you?

I do think that there is something to be said for the point for people who dont regularly attend church now not knowing 'etiquette' for want of a better word

You have to be confirmed (the adult reaffirmation of baptismal vows) but anyone can have a blessing whether you are baptised or not saymyname

bran, sorry I think I've mad it a bit confusing! If you are confirmed then you can take Communion but if you're not you can still go forward but rather than receiving the bread and wine the priest gives you a blessing by placing his hands on your head and saying something along the lines of "may the Lord bless you and keep you"

littleducks - there is a church school close but ds isn't school age yet so not sure how good it is

Our local church has a "no mobiles" sign on the door, which I think is terribly sad.

Had I been a guest when I was younger, I wouldn't have known the etiquette (for want of a better word) of communion/blessing, so would not have participated.

Our vicar specifically invites the parents/godparents to bring the baby for a blessing, with a general invite to the rest of the guests.

Littleducks...

You saved me a post.

Hmm, well, I don't know. I feel your sense of disrespect for your church service/ vicar or minister and your religion,,,,,,, but I might be one of those people who would annoy you.

Despite having taken my children to church most Sundays for the last year, I am not sure I believe in God, so, out of respect for people who do believe in communion, I choose not to go up.

I want my children christened though. I don't want to take a decision on their behalf to exclude them from the church background that I had. I took for granted confirmation lessons, etc. I want to take them to church and for them to be a part of a church community (as well as local community and their school community). That is important to me. Obviously I have a lot of respect for the congregation and the vicar though, and I would never chat on the phone!! I would die of embarrassment even to receive a txt during the service!

My children are a little older than is usual at a christening, so I feel like I am being quite 'brave' doing it at this point. I hope that nobody will be judging me on the day. But I hope that maybe you see that with the best intentions, it not always as simple as it seems at first glance.

unknown, that is exactly what the priest in every case has done (we are interregnum atm) but in every case the parents have not brought the child forward

I'm not confirmed, but I do take the blessing.

It's a bit of a standing joke in that DH and all my boys are confirmed and I'm not. The vicar got all excited when I once turned up for the 8am service with DS3.

Ah, here the parents/godparents do tend to go up, if no one else.

Is there a rehearsal for a christening? I am worried now that I will do something wrong and be the talk of the congregation for weeks

Perhaps individual churches are different regarding going up to the altar if not taking communion. When I was a child (and forced to go to church) nobody went up unless they were taking communion, and the few times I've been to DH's church I haven't noticed any children going up (but then there aren't all that many in the congregation).

i think you are being very unchristian that's for sure - and jesus would really give a shit becuase..... nope amd struggling here...... nope ........

You stance doesn't annoy me in the slightest greenelizabeth, in fact I applaud you for you exploration of your faith and the fact you are opening doors for your children that they can explore should they wish as they get older. I would never condone anyone for having their child baptised it is rather the if you make the decision to have your child to be baptised during a Communion service that you would take your child up for a blessing, thus cementing the promises you have made during the baptism.

Does this make nay sense?