We celebrate Baptisms (Christenings) with great joy, for by this sacrament of water and the Holy Spirit, a child of God is named and welcomed into the family of God's Church. In the case of infant baptism, parents come to the service to give thanks for their child and to provide a spiritual home for him or her, a community in which to grow and explore faith and the spiritual adventure of being a created human being. Baptism marks the start of this journey, a turning away from the paralysis of self-centredness to the life, light and wholeness found in Jesus Christ.
David F. Wells put it like this:
This is what baptism is: God places a song in your heart. Your godparents' role is to learn that song so well that they can sing it back to you when you forget how it goes. And this is the song: heaven is open to you; God´s spirit is with you; you are everything to God. This is the song that makes your heart sing. And what does the song mean? I´ll tell you. You are the song in God´s heart, and God will never forget that song. (The Christian Century, 2000)
If you would like to enquire about Baptism, please contact the Rector, the Revd Darren McCallig. Telephone 01372 461 088. Email: rector@esherparish.org.uk
More information about Baptism in the Church of England can be found on the excellent website: https://churchofenglandchristenings.org/