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Thank you for your interest in a service for your child. We want to welcome children at
Knowle Parish Church. People have different reasons for wanting a service for their child, whether it is to celebrate the birth, publicly give thanks to God, or introduce the child to the life and worship of the Christian church. There are two types of service and either might be appropriate. It all depends on what you want to express and to commit yourselves to.
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Thanksgiving
The thanksgiving service, as its name implies, is a special service that gives you an opportunity to express thanks to God for the gift of your child, to ask for his blessing and to pray for his help as parents. You will be presented with a book of Bible stories and a certificate to mark the occasion. You can ask people to act as sponsors.
This is a similar role to that of godparent. Thanksgiving is different from a baptism in that no water is used, and the parents do not have to commit themselves explicitly to Jesus Christ and to participating in the life and worship of the church.
Thanksgiving could be a good option if you're at all uncertain about making the baptism promises. It can always be followed by baptism at a later date when you have seen more of the church's life and been able to give the baptism promises more thought.
If you would like to have a thanksgiving service, then contact the Parish Office (779123) to book a date. One of the clergy will then contact you to discuss the details of the service.
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Baptism
The baptism service is for those who want to make a more specific Christian commitment in the upbringing of their children. In the service, parents and godparents make a public declaration of their Christian faith. They also promise, among other things, to help their child `to take their place within the life and worship of Christ's church'. In other words, parents promise to lead the way for their child in active participation in church family life. The baptism itself symbolises the new start that God gives to those who join the community of Christ's followers, his church.
Because the baptism service involves much more on the part of parents and godparents, we regularly run preparation evenings to explain in more detail what lies behind the words and symbols used in the service. We ask parents to attend one of these evenings before they book a date for a baptism.
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We have tried to answer some common questions on are the FAQ page.
If you have other questions, then please feel free to contact the Parish Office click here .
We look forward to hearing from you.
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To book a place on the next baptism preparation evening please contact the Parish Office (779123).
It is important that both parents are able to attend this evening and any godparents who can come are very welcome, too.
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Baptism are normally held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3.00 pm, with up to four families at any one time. Thanksgiving may also take place at this service.
All enquires should be made to the Parish Office Manager at the Parish Office.
Parents are expected to attend a meeting (held every three months) explaining the meaning of Baptism, before booking a date.
Parish office 01564 779123
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