Christenings (Baptisms)
Your child’s big day…
Exploring more about what a Christening means
Your child is precious to you and precious to God. You want the very best for them, and so does God.
You want them to make right choices in life, for themselves and for others.
A christening is just the beginning of this and so much more. 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.
What Happens at a Christening?
At a christening a child is baptised with water. This is the heart of a christening. There are several moments in the service which have a special meaning too.
Follow each step to see what happens.
“…I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Welcome
The Minister will welcome everyone and especially the child who will be christened and their family. There will be a Bible reading, and the Minister will also talk about what a christening means. The parents and the godparents will make some important promises for the child in the service. Often, this is the point in the service when parents and godparents will be invited to come out to stand at the front with the child. In many churches, a special oil may be used to make the sign of a cross on the child’s forehead. It’s a significant moment, which marks the child as belonging to God. Water which is blessed in the church’s font will be poured over the child’s head by the Minister. This is the child’s baptism. It’s a sign of a new beginning and becoming a part of God’s family. The vicar, or someone else from the church, will pray for the child and for all those who will support them in their path of faith. Everyone present welcomes the child into the family of the church with words given in the service. A candle may be given to the child at the end of the christening or sometimes at a service soon afterwards.
The Minister says:“…Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God.”
Families are warmly invited to come to church whenever they can. The church may also keep in touch in other ways. Even when people move, there will be a Church of England church local to them in their new parish, so we are always there for them wherever they are.
Reception venues in Studland
Old Harry Bar www.oldharrybar.co.uk
Studland Village Hall www.studlandvillagehall.co.uk
Shell Bay Restaurant shellbay.net
Knoll House Hotel www.knollhouse.co.uk
Studland Bay House www.studlandbayhouse.co.uk
Service times in March 2024 at St Nicholas church Studland
Friday 1st March 2.30pm World day of prayer followed by Afternoon Tea in the Church Hall
Saturday 2nd Men's Breakfast 8.30 - 10.00am
Sunday 3rd 10.00am Family Communion Rev Tony Higgins
Sunday 10th February 10.00am Mothering Sunday Rev Tony Higgins
Sunday 17th February 10.00am Morning Prayer Rev Tony Edmonds
Palm Sunday 24th 10.00am Rev Tony Higgins
6.30pm Zoom Service Rev Tony Higgins
Good Friday 6.30pm Music and Meditation
Easter Sunday 10.00 am Easter Family Communion Rev Tony Edmonds & Rev Tony Higgins
Contact
Revd Tony Higgins
Email: revtonyhiggins@btinternet.com
Tel No: 01929 450691
Mobile: 07761 658124
St Nicholas' Church, Studland,
SWANAGE, BH19 3AT.
About
Please take time to be still, pray, and get to know our church and its surroundings. This unique Romanesque Norman building has been here for about 1,000 years, but it was built on the site of an earlier Saxon church dating from the beginnings of Christianity in Dorset. Read more