Baptism is the religious rite which welcomes someone as a member into the Christian Church. It can take place at any point in a person's life. It is the sign that someone belongs to Christ and that is why baptism is sometimes known as christening. It is also the sign that someone has repented of (turned away from) their bad ways and has accepted that they can only do this with the help of God and his Holy Spirit.

When someone is baptised the minister pours water on his or her head and draws a cross in special oil on the forehead, as a sign of the person's new life with Christ. A candle is lit during the service and its light is a symbol of that person moving from spiritual darkness into light.

This rite of passage represents the beginning of a new life and Christian journey. For those baptised as a baby, this is near the beginning of their physical life. For older people, it comes later, but is still the start of something new, whatever their age. When a baby or child is baptised, the parents and godparents make the promises on behalf of the baby and the child is included as a member of the church family.

Adults can be baptised if they were not baptised as a child. It is a way for them to express their faith in Christ. The baptismal service speaks of our separation from all that is wrong in the world and our joining a community which seeks to be centred on God. Once baptised the journey continues. We are to grow and change and then bring others to know that God is love as we have come to know this. At St. James's, baptism can take place during Parish Communion or as a separate service. Please contact the vicar to discuss baptism at St. James's and have a look at the leaflet written for Baptism at St. James's Church.

The stone font The small font

Everyone who is going to be baptised at St. James's (or their family, if a child) will be visited first by a St. James's parish visitor who will explain the service and answer any questions. Find out about these on the page Parish Visitors. The parish visitor will also be a friendly face within the church community. The family will have already met a member of the clergy. For two years after the baptism, those baptised will receive a card and be invited to a tea party to continue to celebrate their membership of the Church.

The baptismal shell

The central aspect of a baptism is the use of water in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (The word baptism means to ‘dunk’ or ‘immerse’ in water.) In the Anglican and other traditions the water is poured into a font (font comes from fountain). The font is a bowl which can be made of metal, stone, glass, etc. and can be as simple or elaborate as desired.

At St. James's the font is a large octagonal (eight-sided) stone which is beautifully carved. Find out about St. James's font on the page The Baptistry. When a baptism takes place during the Parish Communion, a smaller portable font is used at the front of the church. See the pictures on the left.

The baptismal shell is sometimes used for pouring the water over the head instead of the priest's hand.

Godparents
During the baptism of babies and toddlers, certain promises and declarations of faith are made by the parents and godparents on behalf of the child. Godparents play an important role and they should pray regularly for the child, set a good example, take a keen interest in him/her and generally be regarded as a friend. It is customary that there are at least three godparents, of whom at least two shall be of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents must themselves be baptised.