We seek to support and help parents and their children from their earliest days right through to adulthood.
For many people this begins with a special church service, either a Baptism (also known as a Christening) or a service of Thanksgiving. These services are, of course, primarily acts of Christian worship. But they are also offer an opportunity for your family and friends to gather together and join you in celebrating the precious gift of your child.
To begin to arrange a Baptism or Thanksgiving simply complete the web-form below and follow we’ll get back in touch with you about the date of the next ‘Celebrating the Gift of a Child’ evening. Don’t be nervous, it’s a very relaxed session held on a Wednesday night from 7.45 pm to 9.30 pm where you meet other parents and a member of the clergy team who will explain to you the difference between a Baptism and a Thanksgiving over a cup of tea and give you an opportunity to ask very practical questions about the service.
Once you have attended the Celebrating the Gift of a Child evening we can book your service. Some parents have never attended St James and Emmanuel, or have only been once or twice. We ask these parents to come a few times to get to know us and for us to get to know you and your family – please see the details at the very end of the booking form.
Whether you think you might be interested in a Thanksgiving or Baptism service to celebrate the gift of your child, we encourage you to pray for you and your child regularly. You may find the following simple prayer helpful:
Father God, thank you for [your child’s name]
and the great gift he/she is to our family.
Please help us as a family to love and care for one another,
now and in the years to come.
In Jesus name. Amen.
