An overview of the baptism and thanksgiving services
Congratulations if you have had a recent addition to your family, but don’t worry if the child is older. We hope that you and your family will find a warm welcome here. This page is here to help you if you are considering having your child baptised at St John’s Knutsford or Toft Church.
The birth of a child is always a special time and many parents, like yourselves, want to mark the occasion with a service in church. We want to help you to do this.
Giving Thanks
When we are given a gift, it is right to say ‘thank you’. The Bible says, ‘children are a gift from the Lord’ – and so we should thank him for them. Traditionally, parents brought their children to give thanks to God in a special church service.
Although it has fallen out of use in many churches, the first thing we will arrange with you is this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the Lord – we call this a Thanksgiving Service.
The Thanksgiving Service
The Thanksgiving Service is included within the main morning service at 10:15am at St John’s Knutsford or Toft.
The Bible says that on one occasion, Jesus ‘took … children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.’ In the Thanksgiving Service, we follow Jesus’ example. We will thank God for your child and ask for his blessing for him or her. An outline of the service is available in the links on the right.
You may invite sponsors, and we will give you a certificate to mark the occasion. This service does not require you or the sponsors to make any promises. The service is free, and an application form is available from the church office.
What about Christening?
Most parents come to us asking ‘can I have my child christened?’ (or ‘baptised’, which is the same thing).
In the Baptism Service, parents and godparents make important promises before God. These include a commitment to regular church-going as an example to your child, and a declaration that you are a committed follower of Jesus Christ yourself. For this reason, you may decide that the Thanksgiving Service by itself is right for you.
If however, after the Thanksgiving, you want to explore the possibility of baptism for your child, we will gladly help you to do this – please have a word with one of the ministers.
We would request that parents have formalised their union prior to bringing their children forward for baptism.
Your Move
To arrange a Thanksgiving Service, please complete the application form and return it to a minister or the church office.
On the date the minister agrees with you for the service, please arrive 10 minutes early.
In the meantime, why not start coming to church if you don’t already? On Sundays you and your family will find a warm welcome at the 10.15am service at St John’s Knutsford or Toft. We also run a toddler group during the week called Oasis – information about that is here.