Baptism

Children whose parents live in the parish or whose parents’ names are on the Parish Electoral Roll have the right to be baptised here. If you live outside the parish (for example in Pennington or Boldre) and have an appropriate reason for wanting the baptism at Lymington you will need to contact us and your local parish to ask for approval. See our map of the parish boundaries.

Baptisms take place in St.Thomas’ on the High Street. They are normally held in one of our Sunday mornign services. There is usually a waiting list of two to three months for baptism so please don’t wait until the last minute to get in touch!

You will be invited to pick up an application form from one of our Sunday morning services. Once you have completed the form you will be invited to bring it back to a meeting with the Vicar which is an opportunity to talk through what is involved in a Baptism and ask any questions you may have.

There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey.  Our ‘immersion’ in the water of baptism unites us to Christ’s dying and rising for us. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus’ own baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there is a lighted candle.  Everyone who is baptized walks in the light for Christ for the rest of their lives.

A godparent must be a baptized Christian, and preferably confirmed. You should try to choose people who will be good role models for your child – ‘Who do I want my child to be like?’ The normal pattern is to have two godparents of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex, but it is far more important to have the right people than to stick to this.

In the service itself, the parents and godparents are asked to affirm their Christian faith and they make promises to bring up the child as a Christian, ‘by teaching and example’. A card is usually given to the godparents reminding them that they should:

• Pray regularly for the child
• Set an example of Christian living
• Help the child to grow in the Christian faith
• Give every encouragement to follow Christ and fight evil
• Help the child towards Confirmation

There is no charge for a baptism – it is a symbol of God’s free and unconditional love for all people. There is usually a plate available at the church if anyone wishes to make a donation.

More information can be found on the Church of England website churchofenglandchristenings.org