Baptisms at St Mary’s and St Peter’s

BAPTISMS

Infant Baptisms (Christenings) usually take place on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2pm.
The baptism service is informal lasting about 30 minutes. The parents and godparents will make special promises to do all they can to care for and guide their child.
Baptism means that your child will become a Christian – a member of Christ’s family. Baptism is the first step in their journey of faith.
During the service we use the three symbols of baptism: oil, water and light. Olive oil will be used to make a cross on the child’s forehead, water is used as a sign that we are washed clean ready for new life, and a lighted candle will be presented to the child to remind us that the light of Christ has entered their life.
We are happy to baptise children whose parents live in the Bicester Team Ministry Area which covers Bicester, Caversfield, Bucknell and Launton. If you’d like to arrange a baptism, come along one Sunday morning and speak to the Vicar at the end of the service or telephone the Revd Becky Mathew on 01869 324153. We make no charge for a baptism service but appreciate donations.

Godparents: A Special Friendship

You choose up to 4 godparents for your child. They each need to have been baptised themselves. They may be friends or relatives but it is important that they will consider the role of godparent an honour and a privilege.
A godparent is a friend, mentor and role model to their godchild.
The godparents’ part in the service is an important one. They speak for the child and promise to be the best person they can be for that child.
The church understands that godparents will nurture the seed of faith sown in the child at baptism; that they will act as support and encouragement in the years to come and finally, with the parents bring the child to a point in their life where they want to make for themselves, the promises that were made on their behalf as a baby. We call the next step Confirmation.

ADULT BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION

Adults are usually baptised and confirmed by the Bishop at the same time.
Please see the Revd Becky Mathew if you are interested in being confirmed having been baptised as a child, or if you would like to be baptised and confirmed as an adult.