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Baptism for Children
The Uniting Church warmly welcomes children who are brought for baptism. In the baptism service both the parents and church community make promises on behalf of the child. The parents promise to provide a home of love and trust for the child and to encourage the child to grow within the life of the church. The church community promises to live out the responsibilities of baptism by endeavouring to be a loving community in Christ, nurturing one another’s faith, praying together, supporting one another, and by providing an environment where each child can grow in the grace, love and knowledge of God. No child will be refused baptism. However, the church asks you to take seriously the responsibilities involved before proceeding. Alternatively you may choose to have a Thanksgiving Ceremony for your child. In this ceremony the precious life of each child is recognised. Prayers of thanksgiving are offered and God’s blessing is asked for the child’s life. Please discuss your wishes with the minister. THE UNITING CHURCH WARMLY WELCOMES CHILDREN WHO ARE BROUGHT FOR BAPTISM. IN THE BAPTISM SERVICE BOTH THE PARENTS AND CHURCH COMMUNITY MAKE PROMISES ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD. THE PARENTS PROMISE TO PROVIDE A HOME OF LOVE AND TRUST FOR THE CHILD AND TO ENCOURAGE THE CHILD TO GROW WITHIN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH COMMUNITY PROMISES TO LIVE OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BAPTISM BY ENDEAVOURING TO BE A LOVING COMMUNITY IN CHRIST, NURTURING ONE ANOTHER’S FAITH, PRAYING TOGETHER, SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER, AND BY PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EACH CHILD CAN GROW IN THE GRACE, LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. NO CHILD WILL BE REFUSED BAPTISM. HOWEVER, THE CHURCH ASKS YOU TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVED BEFORE PROCEEDING. ALTERNATIVELY YOU MAY CHOOSE TO HAVE A THANKSGIVING CEREMONY FOR YOUR CHILD. IN THIS CEREMONY THE PRECIOUS LIFE OF EACH CHILD IS RECOGNISED. PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING ARE OFFERED AND GOD’S BLESSING IS ASKED FOR THE CHILD’S LIFE. PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR WISHES WITH THE MINISTER. |
Adult Baptism (For adults who profess faith in Jesus Christ)
Adult baptism is accompanied by a confirmation ceremony. Adult baptism and confirmation enables people to participate in the full life of the congregation. There are responsibilities that come with baptism; these involve promising to live our lives as faithful servants of Jesus Christ. Those seeking baptism as adults should speak with the minister and a preparation course will be arranged. |
