Special Services for Children and their Families

Many parents or carers choose to have a special service to celebrate a new child in the family. (The services in some traditions used to be called "Christenings"). At Kippax Uniting Church we offer 2 special services of celebration for children and their families: A Service of Baptism and a Service of Thanksgiving.

Both services are available at any of our Sunday worship times 8:30am, 9:45am and 10:30am, though most families find the feel of the 9:45 service especially appropriate.

Different families choose either a Baptism or a Thanksgiving on the basis of a number of reasons. Some of the background to each service is set out below, to try and help in any decision that you would like to make.


WHAT ARE THE SERVICES

A Baptism Service essentially marks two things. Firstly and most importantly, it is a celebration of God's unconditional love for us (a sign of "grace"). Secondly, it marks the fact that the person is committed to Christ's life and mission in the world.
When an adult is being baptised, that commitment is given by the person themself.

In the case of a young child, however, it is given on behalf of the child by the parent(s) or carer(s), in the hope and faith that it will be adopted by the child at a later point in their life. The service involves a commitment to be part of the life of the church, and to grow in the Christian faith.

Baptism is an event that happens once only in a person's life, as it marks the beginning person's growth in response to God's love. It does not give a child (or an adult) any 'spiritual advantage' over anyone else or 'guarantee a place in heaven.'

As part of the service of Baptism, symbols of water (representing dying and rising to new life, and also God's overflowing love) and a candle (representing that Christ is the light of the world) are used.

A Service of Thanksgiving (or Dedication) is also a great celebration. In this service, the parents or carers plus other family and friends, join with the congregation of the church to give thanks to God for the child. The family also makes some promises about the way they will raise the child.

As part of the service of Thanksgiving, symbols of oil (God's love) and a shawl (God surrounding us with the Holy Spirit) are used.

In both services, a presentation of a Children's Bible is made to the family.


WHO ARE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO?

"The Uniting Church will baptise people who profess the Christian faith, and children who are presented for baptism, for whose instruction and nourishment in the faith the congregation takes responsibility." The service is conducted in the congregation in which the person (or in the case of a young child, the parent(s) ) either currently participates or promises in the future to participate.

Services of Thanksgiving are open to any person or family who wishes to mark a special time in their life by giving thanks to God.


WHY WOULD I CHOOSE ONE FORM OF SERVICE INSTEAD OF THE OTHER?

There are many different reasons why people choose one service instead of the other. A person's choice, and the service which is held, does not make one person (or child) better than another. One service does not give a person a 'head-start' in their relationship with God.

People who have not previously been baptised, and who now wish to acknowledge God's love and their own personal commitment to God and to the ministry of God in the world, may choose to participate in an "Adult Baptism."
People who have been baptised, and who now wish to acknowledge God's love in their lives and make and their own personal commitment to God and the ministry of God in the world, may choose to participate in a "Reaffirmation of Baptism."

Parents or carers who wish to acknowledge God's love for their child, and who feel that they would like to declare their commitment to raise the child knowing, experiencing and participating in God's love for the world, may choose to participate in an "Infant Baptism".

Parents or carers who wish to acknowledge God's love for their child, but who feel they would prefer their child to make any commitment or promises in response to that love, may choose to participate in a Thanksgiving.
Parents or carers who wish to acknowledge God's love for their child, but do not feel they are ready to make commitments to God and the church about their child being raised in the Christian faith, may choose to participate in a Thanksgiving.

WHAT ABOUT "GOD PARENTS"

In the Uniting Church, the main responsibility in assisting the parent(s) raising their child belongs to the church congregation. The congregation is asked to make promises in any Service of Baptism or Thanksgiving concerning the way in which the child will be made able to experience God's love.
These promises are especially clear in a Baptism. So, in a sense, the entire congregation is the child's "God-parents". That is one reason why, in preparation for a Baptism, we encourage the family to get to know the congregation, as they will be asking the congregation to care for their child.

However, if the parents have special friends that are going to be particularly close to the family in helping the child learn of God's love for him or her, those friends are able to be included in the service.


IS THERE A PREPARATION COURSE OR ANY OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT?

Prior to a Service of Baptism, we hold a Christianity Explained Course to help remind people of the basic elements of the Christian faith. This course runs for 6 1-hour sessions (normally once per week). Therefore, there is normally a period of about 2 months between beginning arrangements and the Baptism service itself.
In addition, for either a Service of Baptism or a Service of Thanksgiving, our minister, Gordon Ramsay, plus one of the church elders will meet with the person or the family to help you be familiar and comfortable with the structure of the service itself.

We hope that this information has helped you as you think through which service is best to mark your special occasion in life. For more information about either service, please phone our church office on 6254 1733.