WELCOME TO ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN PARISH, MANUKA,  WITH ST DAVID'S, RED HILL

 Information on the Welcoming of Children at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka.  

At St Paul’s we offer two different services of welcome for children and you may find that one of these services will meet your needs at this time in a more appropriate way than the other.

 A Service of Thanksgiving for a Child

This is a short service of celebration and thanksgiving to God for the gift of your child. It includes the naming of the child and recognition of God’s goodness and love. There are no promises made on behalf of the child by parents and godparents at this service.

The Thanksgiving service may be performed in the church building, in a park, in the church grounds or in your home; and on a day and time that are convenient to you.

Parents are not required to attend a preparation evening for a Thanksgiving Service, as is the case with Baptism. However, the clergy person performing the service for you will meet with you beforehand to plan the occasion with you.

If you choose to have a Thanksgiving Service at this time you are most welcome to bring your child for baptism in the future. A Thanksgiving Service does not replace baptism. It may simply be more meaningful for you at this particular time especially if you are unsure about making the promises that are an integral part of the Sacrament of Baptism.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism (also known as Christening – making the child one with Christ) is a rite of membership into the Christian faith and community. It is a sacrament of the grace of God through which we identify ourselves with the death and resurrection of Christ. It involves parents and godparents making a commitment to raise the child in the Christian faith and participate in the life and worship of the Christian community. Promises are made on behalf of the child in line with this commitment. The child is named within this service but it is far more than a naming ceremony. It is a declaration of faith in Christ on behalf of the child.

Parents wanting to have their child baptised are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Evening with other families also seeking Baptism for their children. Members of the St Paul’s congregation conduct these evenings. Godparents are also required to come along to this evening if at all possible, as raising a child in the Christian faith is a concern reaching beyond the immediate family and since godparents will be making promises on behalf of the child.

Only under very special circumstances will a Baptism go ahead without attendance at the Preparation Evening.

After you have attended this preparation, the clergy person performing the Baptism will meet with you in your home to discuss the service itself and answer any other questions you may have. 

As we do not have the clergy resources to celebrate Baptisms on every Sunday, they are held in the church on the second and fourth Sundays only, at 12 noon.

Depending on demand for dates you are likely to be sharing your Baptism with another family. 

There are no fees for either service, however many families choose to make a donation. 
 

Baptism Preparation Evenings

These will be held downstairs in the Hall at St Paul’s (which is at the corner of Canberra Avenue and Captain Cook Crescent, Manuka) at 1pm on Saturdays.  

As there will be no child care provided and parents need to be free to listen and participate, you will need to make babysitting arrangements for toddlers and older children.

When you have made a decision about which service would best suit you please contact the parish office on 6239 6148 (9.30am – 1.30pm Monday to Friday) to discuss your choice and further arrangements. Alternatively, please email the parish office on stpauls.manuka@anglican.org.au

Being part of a Christian community is a vital part of living a Christian life. We therefore encourage your family to join us regularly for worship at St Paul’s and allow us to welcome you, encourage and support you in your daily lives.

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Last modified: July 01, 2008