the parish

Why Baptism?

The birth of a baby is a time of great happiness. It is an occasion of joy, pride and excitement. It is a time to celebrate and have a party. Many parents still want their child to be baptized or 'christened', though their reasons for this can be varied:

they want to feel that God is on the baby's side, a sign of good luck;some see it as a 'naming' ceremony and an opportunity for a social occasion;some people have their baby baptized because it's part of the family tradition.

Baptism is much more than this.

What is Baptism?

In Baptism we celebrate the beginning of a personal relationship which God offers and we celebrate becoming a member of his family the Church. When we are baptized we enter the Christian community through which we are united to Jesus Christ himself. Baptism is not a one­off event, it's not about having baby "done" and then forgetting about it once the party is over. It is the beginning of a lifelong journey, a voyage of discovery as we grow to love and know God within the context of his family the Church and become sharers in the Church's mission.

Who is Baptism for? Is it just for babies?

Not so. Increasingly the Church is welcoming adults of all ages into the Christian community. (There is a single service for both infants and adults). !t would be expected that adults follow an enquirers' course for a better understanding of the Christian faith called Just Explore.

Do you baptize infants? Yes we do because Baptism is a grace and gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit.

The Sacrament of Confirmation has a continuity with Baptism

Find out more about Confirmation for adults and young people.

ST ALPHEGE

Sundays

8.00am Holy Eucharist (said)

9.15am Parish Eucharist & Sunday Club (2nd Sunday : All-age Eucharist)

Plus on 4th Sunday 'easy' in OBH rejoining Parish Eucharist at communion

11.00am Sung Eucharist

(traditional language)

6.30pm (except 4th Sunday)

Choral Evensong

6.30pm (4th Sunday)

Congregational Evensong

Plus at 6.00pm (1st Sunday)

‘the space’ – informal parish worship

(in the Oliver Bird Hall)

Weekday Eucharists

Monday 9.30am

Tuesday 9.30am

Wednesday 10.15am

Thursday 10.30am

Saturday 9.30am

Morning Prayer

Mon-Sat 9.00am

(Wed term-time 8.30am)

ST CATHERINE

3rd Sunday only

11.00am Eucharist

ST HELEN

Sundays

8.00am Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer)

10.00am Parish Eucharist and Sunday Club 3rd Sunday : All-age worship (non-eucharistic)

6.30pm Evening Worship in Chapel

6.30pm (2nd Sunday) Wholeness and Healing service in Chapel.

Weekday Eucharist

Friday 10.00am

ST MICHAEL

Sundays

10.30am Holy Eucharist and Sunday Club (Sharmans Cross School)

10.30am (2nd Sunday) All-age worship (Sharmans Cross School).

4.30pm (2nd Sunday) Holy Communion (St Michael's Chapel).

Weekday Eucharist

Wednesday 10.00am at Oak Cottage