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Original poster

what happens at a christening

19 replies

CarlyP · 27/06/2005 12:26

we have decided to get our 2 sons christened. having never been to a christening, can someone tell me what happens. we have discussed what it means etc with our vicar, but we are not sure what happens in the actual ceremony. he says he does them as aprt of a sunday service normally. can you help!

thanks,

carly

OP posts:
jessicasmummy · 27/06/2005 12:28

you will be called up to the front and the vicar will ask certain questions and you will say the answers as printed on a sheet.

vicar will then take each child in turn and mark them with the cross with water and the godparents will have their "promises" to make too.

It is all very easy and very quick.

Enjoy it!

eldestgirl · 27/06/2005 12:34

Hi CarlyP
Your vicar should be able to lend you a Baptism booklet which has an order of service which fits into an ordinary church service. This should describe what happens and who says what.
Sometimes they ask you to attend a preparation class which might be helpful.

Original poster
CarlyP · 27/06/2005 12:42

thank you for your quick responses. we are both very excited about this!!

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 27/06/2005 13:03

Just in case there is any doubt - it is usual for you to stay for the whole of the service, not just your "bit"! The rest of the congregation will take part in the ceremony to (as it is a sign of welcoming your dss into the church family).
If you have a look at this site you will find the set of words ussed for the christening (baptism). HTH

munchie · 27/06/2005 13:09

It isn't easy and nor should it be quick!!!!!!!
You are standing at the front of church and making promises in front of God for you and your children and isn't something that should be taken lightly.

donnie · 27/06/2005 13:17

it is a very moving precedure, I think, The vicar/priest splashes holy water onto the child's forehead three times while saying 'I baptise you in the name of the father, Son and Holy Ghost'. Lovely! I really hope it goes well, whev=never it takes place.How many Godparents will you choose? it is normally 3 per child, one of the opposote sex and two of the same.

Original poster
CarlyP · 27/06/2005 13:22

We are having 4 godparents for them each. 2 male and 2 female. it is happening on 4/9/5. Alfie will be 21mth and Oscar will be 9mths.

munchie,
i think jessicas mummy wasnt saying it was easy and quick in a light hearted way about god. i think she was jsut helping me.

OP posts:
Tortington · 27/06/2005 19:37

why are you getting it done if your not a church goer?

Ameriscot2005 · 27/06/2005 19:48

You are called up to the front along with the godparents, when the vicar or curate will take your baby. He will read out some questions, and you respond "I turn to Christ" and "with the help of God I will". The congregation also responds to various parts, and includes a version of the Creed and a welcome into the church family. The baby's head will be wetted, and a sign of the cross made. That's it, and everyone will give you a round of applause.

Does your church offer baptism classes for parents?

Original poster
CarlyP · 28/06/2005 08:01

The church doesnt offer a baptism class, but we have been invited by the vicar and the family to watch a christening this sunday.

Custardo, where did i say i wasnt a church goer?

OP posts:
Ameriscot2005 · 28/06/2005 08:40

I guess it's easy to assume that you don't regularly go to church if you have never witnessed a Christening before.

Tortington · 28/06/2005 12:42

are you?

Original poster
CarlyP · 28/06/2005 13:06

I am christened, as is my husband. we have just moved to a new village and have started to attend church as it really is the hub of the community. none of our families go to church, and very few friends, that is y i have not been to a christening. so whilst i am not a long standing visitor (not since school mass!!) I am not being hypocritical in my decision to get the boys christened.

One thing that does annoy me is the fact that ppl who have been gonig for a long time often seem to think they 'own the rights'. not very christian is it..........

OP posts:
Ameriscot2005 · 28/06/2005 15:53

What do you mean by "own the rights"?

Original poster
CarlyP · 29/06/2005 13:03

if some ppl have been attending church a long time they seem to think they have a right to look down on everybody else for either not going or only just starting. this is what custardo sounds like.

OP posts:
Ameriscot2005 · 29/06/2005 13:34

Not at our church - we work tirelessly to invite new people in.

Tortington · 29/06/2005 20:15

was just asking out of curiosity. as was said earlier.. it wasn't totally from left field to ask since you didnt know how a christening was conducted - why you would want to get your kids christened. not you have filled in the blanks and inform us your a regular church goer of course it makes sense.

i dont understand people who have their kids christened and don't go to church which is a bit different from looking down on you becuase you havent been going to church as long as i have - even though you don't know whether i do go to church. i may attend a regular wednesday covern!

Tortington · 29/06/2005 20:19

however must add that you are ofcourse right carlyp, there are always 4 old women and one old man who run the church and its affairs. and depending on the church you could be one of only three families under 45 there.

then there are always to really dressedup people - i always thought this was a bit ermm.. wrong, to adorn all your jewellery and designer gear to sit in a mass which invariably will talk about jesus who had nothing helping people who had nothing telling us how we should help the less fortunate than ourselves.

carlyp am sorry if i offended in anyway by my earlier questions in my earlier posts

Marina · 29/06/2005 20:32

Best of luck with the baptisms CarlyP, I should think the congregation will be delighted to welcome Alfie and Oscar into the family of the church. Baptisms during morning service are always really great
We recently changed churches after years of attending a different one (moved house but kept slogging back to our "old" one) and even though most of the other worshippers are older, and there aren't many children, our family has been warmly welcomed and we have made many new friends locally. Hope it continues thus for you

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