Bersted Street 

South Bersted 

Bognor Regis 

West Sussex 

PO22 9QE 

Celebrating the birth
of a baby

 


At South Bersted we love children and welcome all parents who want to celebrate the birth of their baby with a service of baptism (sometimes known as a Christening) or thanksgiving. Baptism involves the parents and godparents making declarations about their own Christian faith and their intention to bring up their child in that faith, including regularly taking an active part in the worshipping life of our church. Increasingly some parents cannot do that with integrity so they choose a thanksgiving service to celebrate the birth instead of baptism because the element of commitment is more open. 

To help them fulfil the vows they will take at their child’s baptism, we also invite parents to join one of our courses exploring the Christian faith. This will help them to understand the vows you are making and it will also help them to answer their children’s questions about Christianity as they grow up. 

There are no fees for baptisms or thanksgivings, although donations are welcome.

Which service may be right for your child?

 

Baptism

Thanksgiving

When?

Can only happen in a main Sunday morning full service (in the 9am service if you would like it to be Traditional, or in the 10.30am service if you would like it to be Contemporary)

Can happen in a Sunday service, or arranged privately on a Sunday afternoon between 3 and 4.30pm (or at 12.30pm), or anytime on a Saturday

Sponsors

Up to 3 godparents (who have all been baptised and preferably confirmed)

Designated supporting friends who stand alongside you in the service (any number)

Qualifications
of sponsors

A clear commitment to the Christian faith from at least one parent and all godparents

A simple desire to seek God's blessing on the child

Order of Service

The baptism is part of
the worship

Friends and family can take an active part if you like, reciting a poem or doing the Bible reading, singing a song, playing an instrument - you can make it special and unique to your child and family

Music

 The songs are chosen
by others

You may choose yours or your child's favourite song/s to be played on CD (so long as the lyrics are OK) on arrival and departure

Length of Service

Between 60-75+ minutes

20-30 minutes

Child Friendly

Not all of the service is geared to children

There may be a
Puppet Show!

Water

Water is used

 Water is not used (this leaves the option open for baptism at a later date)

Availability

Booking about 5 months ahead at 10.30am

A time can be found most weekends of your choice


If you would like to pursue investigating a Baptism, in the first instance, both parents need to attend a Sunday morning service to meet the church family and get a feel for what we are all about at South Bersted.  Please introduce yourself to the Vicar and then a meeting can be arranged to discuss things further and to arrange Baptism preparation for parents and godparents.  Only at that meeting can we confirm a possible date.

Alternatively, if you would like to choose a Thanksgiving, simply phone the Vicar or email (contact Tim), and the date can be booked straight away with nothing else for you to do, and no expectation that you will be regularly attending church.