 Who can be godparents?
If you are baptised and over sixteen you can be a godparent. But choosing godparents is very important. It is more than honouring family friends....it is a role with substantial duties attached! The newly baptised child need these duties to be taken seriously. Therefore, godparents should know their responsibilities, namely:
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teaching their godchildren about God and faith
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bringing them to public worship
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helping them pray
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supporting them by prayer and example, and
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asking them to consider confirmation when they are older.
Parents and godparents also need to be aware that they will be asked to publically declare their faith during the service.
How many godparents can we have?
As few or as many as you like! Traditionally three godparents are chosen... if it's a boy, two men and a woman; if it's a girl, two women and a man. However, please remember that one godparent willing to take the task seriously is worth several that won't.
If one of the godparents can't attend the baptism you can arrange for someone to stand as his/her proxy. Very occasionally, parents come across difficulties in finding godparents, in this case we can arrange for a member of our congregation to take on the role for your child. You may also want to consider grandparents as godparents. People who are not baptised or feel unable to make the promises may act as sponsors following discussion with the Rector.
What help is there to keep the promises made at baptism?
As a church, we will pray for all candidates coming for baptism.
We believe that the very best way to bring up children in God's family is to bring them to church and from an early age. Children are welcome at all our services. We don't expect lively toddlers to sit in silence! We have a creche area at the back of church - complete with toys and books! We also have 'Shining Stars' (our Sunday School), Church Parades, Play and Praise and 3@3 which all have children in mind.
What if we are not ready to bring our child to baptism?
It may be that you wish to find out more about the Christian faith, in which case we are pleased to help. Or perhaps you are not ready to make the promises required by baptism. In either case we can offer a service of thanksgiving for the birth of your baby. This allows you to celebrate the birth of your child and, at the same time, give thanks to God without the need for baptismal promises.
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