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Baptism during covid

21 replies

ClaireP20 · 25/10/2020 08:15

Hello, my son is getting baptised next week. Only Godparents and Grandparents can attend. My mum and dad, and brother and his wife were coming back to mine for a glass of wine in the garden. That is one more than the '6' allowed. However now they can't get a babysitter so have to bring their 2 kids, 7 and 10. The vicar has kindly agreed to this. But it leaves me in a dilemma regarding numbers back at mine. Especially as we will likely go indoors because of the weather. Do you think it would be bad if I explained that I don't want to break the law on numbers/mixing households so no- one can now come back?

OP posts:
OpheliasCrayon · 25/10/2020 08:22

But you would already have broken the law at the church. Which the vicar has agreed to. So what's the problem? If you're happy to do it at the church why is it an issue at your house ?!

cactusdog · 25/10/2020 08:23

I would just do it regardless. However I think there is an allowance on numbers if it's for a celebration/religious ceremony

SimoneAndGarfunkel · 25/10/2020 08:24

Doesn't sound like a very Christian thing to do - breaking the law and increasing the risk of the virus spreading Hmm

PineappleUpsideDownCake · 25/10/2020 08:27

I would do this and I've not broken any rules at all that I know of.

It's once and not like you're having family parties every weekend.

You could see parents in the morning and brother in the afternoon to be legal, but for a baptism I'd do it all at once.

OpheliasCrayon · 25/10/2020 08:29

@SimoneAndGarfunkel

Doesn't sound like a very Christian thing to do - breaking the law and increasing the risk of the virus spreading Hmm
Yes I did raise an eyebrow for the same reason.

I'd do it anyway but it did seem a bit funny coming from a vicar.

Ponoka7 · 25/10/2020 08:31

"Doesn't sound like a very Christian thing to do - breaking the law and increasing the risk of the virus spreading".

Jesus loved a bit of personal interpretation of rules.

Outside of England, children don't count in the numbers and there is evidence that young children/babies aren't shedding it enough to cause a serious viral load.

The Church is a bigger space and people won't be touching everything in the same way., or using one small toilet. I'd just stick to the Church.

Ponoka7 · 25/10/2020 08:34

Also the Churches can hold services of more than six people. They've just got to be Covid secure.

Bwlch · 25/10/2020 08:38

You could get round the numbers problem at the church by having the baptism as part of a normal service.

It doesn't help afterwards though.

movingonup20 · 25/10/2020 08:47

@ClaireP20

Churches have an absolute cap at 15 (this includes the Vicar) for baptism outside of a main service, but your reception must be no more than 6 unless booked at a covid secure venue

ClaireP20 · 25/10/2020 09:04

@OpheliasCrayon

But you would already have broken the law at the church. Which the vicar has agreed to. So what's the problem? If you're happy to do it at the church why is it an issue at your house ?!
No, you can have Baptisms at churches as long as people maintain distancing, and it isnt conducted as part of a larger service, the church is acting within the law x
OP posts:
Bwlch · 25/10/2020 09:07

From the C of E website...

"If the baptism is taking place as part of a regular act of worship the usual requirements for public worship apply (see 'The Rule of six' FAQ section)..

From the 28th September, standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits"

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 25/10/2020 10:04

I would just do the church bit. Baptism is about joining the faith, it doesn’t need a gathering with wine afterwards. Not really in the spirit is it to break rules and potentially spread the virus.

ClaireP20 · 25/10/2020 10:13

@Bwlch

From the C of E website...

"If the baptism is taking place as part of a regular act of worship the usual requirements for public worship apply (see 'The Rule of six' FAQ section)..

From the 28th September, standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits"

As of the 16th October, the rule of 6 does not apply to Baptisms in tiers 2 and 3. As long as social distancing is maintained. The Church of England issued an update on this - you are referring to a previous publication on the CofE website. X
OP posts:
FallonCarringtonWannabe · 25/10/2020 10:17

We have the same issue with upcoming holy communion. No party afterwards. Sad

TunMahla · 25/10/2020 10:18

How is baptism different from other regular church services and masses where the rule of 6 does not apply?

OpheliasCrayon · 25/10/2020 10:20

Ah ok @ClaireP20 I didn't know that. I'm not christian so know very little.
If they've been in the church with you I'd still just let them in my house. Can't really see a problem

Bwlch · 25/10/2020 12:41

How is baptism different from other regular church services and masses where the rule of 6 does not apply?

By being irregular.

As of the 16th October, the rule of 6 does not apply to Baptisms in tiers 2 and 3.

Thanks. That's good to know.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 25/10/2020 13:17

Would it work if you just had your parents back, but not your brother & his wife?

TW2013 · 25/10/2020 13:24

Trouble is that DB, SIL, two dc plus you three will always go over. Could you have your parents over before then a walk in a park outside with brother after if weather OK.

Elieza · 25/10/2020 13:53

In Scotland we are not allowed in each other’s houses at all.

Our first minister has concerns that this is one of the things that could increase the spread of the virus, especially as people can have it with no symptoms so they/you don’t know they have it.

I appreciate that’s not a rule for many other places and am just mentioning as there is science behind her decision.

I think under the circumstances the church baptism only would be the way to go.

If it were me I’d only have those who absolutely have to attend to be present, like the parents and god parents. Just so the ceremony can be done and the baby welcomed into the church.

Would you be allowed to reaffirm the baptism (ie have it redone whatever that’s called) at a later date so you can all be present say next year when you could have a lovely time together, hugging each other and being happy together afterwards on a sunny day with no worries about distancing or disinfecting your bathroom after someone has used it etc?

When these threads come up I always think imagine how you would feel if granny caught covid and it was traced back to this event, to which you knew you’d broken the rules that are meant to keep us safe. You’d blame yourself and feel awful. COVID still kills. My colleague died of it.

This virus won’t last forever. We can party like it’s 1999 once it’s gone.

Camomila · 25/10/2020 14:29

We've decided to postpone DS2s baptism until next year, it feels a bit weird though.
We sort of had to as we couldn't find a Godmother! (all possible cousins/friends under local lockdown or abroad)

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