The Parish of Stanford in the Vale with Goosey and Hatford

Child Baptism & Thanksgiving Policy

All enquiries related to Occasional Offices are to be made to the Vicar direct, who will implement the Policy below.

The Church of England offers two different Services to parents at the birth of a child. They are a Service of Thanksgiving and the Service of Baptism.

Thanksgiving

The Service of Thanksgiving (or Dedication) is an opportunity to thank God for the gift of a child, to pray for him/her and for the child’s parents.  The minister:

● Before God and the congregation, officially ‘names’ the child

● Prays a prayer of thanks for the child and for a safe delivery

● Prays for protection of the child

● Prays for the child’s parents, and for their home

● Asks God to bless the child

 

Thanksgiving Services will take place within a main service at any of the three churches in the Parish, and for the 6pm services, the time may be adjusted by roughly an hour to help with travel etc, but not in any way to create a ‘private’ service.

The clear symbolic and visual difference between a baptism and a thanksgiving service is that people usually notice is that there is no water, because of course, it is not a service of baptism.  On the other hand, there is no obligation on the parents to attend church services or be members of the church.  Parents are free to ask for the child to be Baptised at a later date or, the child can ask to be baptised when a teenager, or an adult.

This service shall be widely promoted in the parish as a stepping stone, as many families with no connection may prefer to have a Service of Thanksgiving but are not prepared to make the promises contained in a Service of Baptism. This service is usually only offered to couples where they and the child live in the parish.

Baptism

The Service of Baptism is one in which the parents/godparents stand up in church during a main service in either of our three churches and make clear statements about the Christian faith. They must sincerely say that they ‘turn to Christ’, that they ‘repent of their sins’, and that they ‘renounce evil’. They must also say that they believe and trust in God the Father who made the world, in Jesus Christ who redeemed mankind, and in His Holy Spirit, who helps the people of God.

It is therefore a service in which parents and Godparents declare that they have a strong commitment to follow Jesus and promise to do all that they can to ensure the child becomes a disciple – especially through their example. They are taking on a duty to bring their child to church and to be part of what the Parish may offer children and families.  These declarations should not be made without serious thought beforehand. 

Therefore, parents who wish to have their children baptised must either be members of the church family, or, signify their commitment by attending baptism preparation sessions, with the godparents if possible – as all couples wising baptism for their child must, under CofE rules, receive preparation – and the Minister can delay baptism if he/she believes the parents are not serious or not yet ready to make the commitment. 

Godparents must, by Canon Law be baptised and confirmed (the latter the Vicar can waive in certain circumstances). If the parent(s) do not know friends/family who can meet the criteria, the Vicar will introduce them to members of the relevant congregation who can act as Godparents. [Eg. members of the Goosey congregation if the service is to be there].

It is also important that the parents attend the main service in either of our three churches before meeting with the Vicar to decide on whether a Service of Thanksgiving, or a Service of Baptism is most appropriate.  It is important that they attend church before the Baptism because baptism is, in part, an initiation into the Church and the parents are asking the church members to welcome their child into that congregation and through them, the Church.

  Parents, therefore, must be sure that

a) this is the congregation/church into which they wish the child to become a member, and

b) it is the congregation/church (i.e people) where they request help in bringing up their child in the way of faith.

The service will take place within a main service at any of the three churches in the Parish, and for the 6pm services, the time may be adjusted by roughly an hour to help with travel etc, but not in any way to create a ‘private’ service.  Baptism is only offered to couples where they and the child live in the parish or, where the parents attend church regularly.

Follow Up

The Vicar and PCC will ensure that for five years following either service, children who have been brought to church will receive a Birthday and Christmas Card, a card on the anniversary of their Thanksgiving/Baptism and are invited to events which are appropriate for children/families.

Last reviewed by PCC: 18th March 2025

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