Baptisms

Christ Church is pleased to offer baptism to babies, young people and adults. We see it as a real privilege to be involved in people’s lives in this way, at a very important time for them. In common with other Anglican churches, we understand baptism (or christening, as some people call it) as the beginning of a person’s life with God in the church. God knows us and loves us before we are ever aware of him; but baptism is someone’s formal entry into the church – and it’s a cause for celebration and for joy.

Generally we agree to baptise somebody when they live in the parish – but there are circumstances where we baptise people outside the parish, if they have links with Christ Church already, through family or friends. When you make an enquiry, you’ll be advised on this.

Preparation for baptism generally involves coming to a preparation evening, where we will talk about what baptism means, explain what’s involved, and tell you what options are available as to dates and times. We have an active team of baptism visitors, and we allocate one of our visitors to each family which asks for baptism for their child. That visitor offers the occasional visit to the family, especially around the time of a child’s first few baptism anniversaries.

Baptism is an often excellent chance for a whole family to get more involved in the life of the local church, if they’re not already. We leave it to people, of course, to decide their own level of involvement – but we do encourage people to see baptism as an important moment on an exciting and longer journey of faith with God, and with us at Christ Church.

Our hall (right next to the church) is available for hire to baptism families who would like to celebrate there after the service.

If you have an enquiry about baptism, then please email baptisms@christchurchepsom.org.uk and one of us will get back to you.

Avril Shipton (Baptism Secretary) & Fay Wedlake (Baptism Coordinator)