We are delighted
you have contacted us regarding the baptism of your child.
As your Church family,
we in St. Margaret's have compiled this booklet to tell you a little about our
care for your children and others within the family.
Very often one of the
first things people think about after the birth of a baby is arranging for their
child to be baptised. This is not something to be taken lightly, but is to be
seen as a very important commitment both for the parents who make the promises,
and for the child whose future is being decided.
For this reason,
please read the next pages carefully, and discuss it with one another before
deciding whether you wish to take this step.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Sometimes people think of it just as a way of celebrating the birth of a baby, but it is much more than that.
Baptism is one of the
two sacraments which are celebrated in the Church of Scotland ‑
the other being communion. This means that it is an event in which God acts.
Christian Baptism is based on the teaching of Jesus, and on the practice of the early Christian Church, and has its background in the practice of the Jews in Old Testament times, where people were baptised ‑ usually by being submerged in a river ‑ as a sign that they were making a decision to turn from a life without God to a life with God.
In the pages that
follow, you will find information about Baptism, details of our Cradle Roll,
Crèche facilities, Mother and Toddlers Group, and some general information
about the Church.
John the Baptist took
the idea further, and used it as a way for people who were already committed to
the way of God to show that they knew they had failed Him, and wanted to make a
new start. And even Jesus went through that baptism, to show an example to
other people.
Jesus told his disciples
that they were to use this same idea ‑ BAPTISM ‑ as a way of
"marking" those who chose to follow his teaching and so become part
of the new family of God which he had come to announce. In the account of the
early church, in the book of Acts, we read of many people who heard the
apostles preach the good news of God's love and forgiveness, and of the promise
of eternal life, and who were baptised to show their acceptance of that message
So baptism really
shows that a person is coming into the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ
in response to hearing and accepting His message. As part of that person's new
experience of God, he or she will come to know the power of the Holy Spirit,
which Jesus gave to the whole Church, and therefore to all who become part of
that Church.
But why to
children? If baptism is a response to
the hearing of the gospel, then surely a baby can't respond? And if it's to do
with making a new start, then surely a baby hasn't made any mistakes yet?
Today we continue to
bring the children of Church members into the fellowship of the church in
response to a declaration of faith by their parents, and a promise to bring
them up within the Church. And we mark that by baptising the child.
It seems that in the
early church when a person was converted to Christianity it wasn't only him or
her that was baptised, but the children too ‑ they were brought into the
new relationship with God at the will of their parents. It is a bit like the
promise in the Old Testament, which God made to Abraham "and to his
children and to his children's children."
And so when a child is
brought for baptism, the parents are asked three questions:
Do you present this
child to be baptised, earnestly desiring that he/she may be grafted into Christ
as a member of his body, the Church?
Answer: I do.
Do you believe in one
God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and do you confess Jesus Christ as your
Saviour and Lord?
Answer: I do.
Do you promise,
depending on the grace of God, to teach this child the truths and duties of the
Christian faith; and by prayer and example to bring him/her up in the life and
worship of the Church?
Answer: I do.
And because Baptism is
an act of the Church, the congregation are also asked to make a promise:
Will you be faithful
to your calling as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, so that this child
and all other children in your midst may grow up in the knowledge and love of
Christ?
AND S0 YOU WILL SEE
that Baptism cannot be taken lightly, and that there are many things to be
thought about and discussed, both between the parents and with the Minister.
If, having read this,
you would like to discuss the baptism of your child, then please get in touch
with the Minister. Telephone: Manse 01356 648139; Office 01307 464224.
Should you feel,
however, that you do not wish to take this step, be assured that there is still
a, warm welcome for you and your child in our fellowship. Please come along to
worship, encourage your child to attend the activities we have for children and
young folk, Sunday Club, Toddler Group and Play Group. At home, bring him/her
up to know the Bible stories, and to see your example of Christian life. That
way be/she will be able to make his own decision when he/she is of an age to do
so.
In SAINT MARGARET'S
we pride ourselves that we have a welcome for the Under Fives.
The Cradle Roll: The special register of all the children under three
who have been baptised in St. Margaret's. Birthday Cards are delivered by the
Crèche volunteers, an invitation to join the Scampers Club is given when the
child reaches three years old.
The Crèche: A special 'baby‑minding' service available
every Sunday during the Morning Service. Toys, stories and entertainment for
the under threes, supervised by mums or grannies.
St Margaret's Playtime: Our Mother and Toddlers' Group which meets every
Tuesday and Thursday morning and which offers Mums an opportunity to get to
know other Mums and the children a chance to learn to play together. Registered
with SPPA.
FOR YOURSELF or your
older children, why not ask about:
Our Sunday Clubs which
cater for all ages each Sunday of the year:
• Scampers (3‑5)
• Seekers (PI ‑P3)
• Track Club (P4‑P7)
Our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts
Coffee Time ‑
every Friday morning from 10 a.m.
..... and come along to our worship services:
Sunday: 11
a.m. September ‑ June
Varying
arrangements ‑ July & August (see Press)
Wednesday: 10.30
a.m. Twenty minute mid‑week service
YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT SAINT MARGARET'S PARISH
CHURCH
If you have any
questions about anything in this booklet ‑ or if you have any suggestions
to make about our provision for younger children, please do not hesitate to let
us know.
The Church Office is
open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. The phone
number is 464224. At other times you can leave a message on the answering
machine.