Baptisms

What is a Baptism?

Baptism is a public commitment to follow Jesus Christ. When a young child is baptised, or christened, the parents and godparents make this commitment on their behalf. Older children and adults make the commitment for themselves.

Whenever it happens, whether as a baby, child or adult, baptism is at the heart of an amazing journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ.

In the case of a young child, over the years to come, it’s a journey you’ll share together with your child by:

• Being there for your child to talk to about the bigger questions of life – questions about hope, faith and love.
• Praying for your child through the ups and downs of their faith journey.
• Showing them practically how to make those good choices in life.
• Helping them to learn more about their Christian faith, through their church and in other ways.

So, baptism is a commitment to start as you mean to go on.

Your Child’s Baptism

We are delighted that you are considering having your child baptised. Your child’s baptism is a very important occasion both for the Church and for your family.

Baptisms at St Botolph’s take place either within the main service or at a special baptism service arranged with you.

We hope that it will be a happy and memorable time for all concerned and, like everything else important in life, your child’s baptism will require planning and preparation.

Your first step is to contact the baptism team on baptisms@stmaryssaffronwalden.org or visit or telephone St Mary’s Parish Office in Saffron Walden or talk to Rev Caroline Currer as the Priest at Hadstock, to let us know that you are considering a baptism.  

We will take your contact details and arrange for one of the baptism team to meet with you.  They will explain what our church offers for children and young people and also let you know the next steps in the process of preparing for the baptism.

This will include attending a regular Sunday service and also a preparation meeting with one of the clergy team.

Your Questions