Church Of England Christenings

Church of England Christening

January 2011

The Church of England describes baptism as "thanking God for his gift of life" and "becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family". Basically is a ceremony where the parents and Godparents promise to bring up the child in the Christian faith. The term Christening is a modern term for baptism but they mean the same thing, baptism the more formal name.

With a Church of England Christening a child can be Christened even if the parents are not regular churchgoers. Some people prefer a Thanks giving service which is less of a commitment, however it is still a religious ceremony but offers thanks more than committing the child to the faith. This is great if you would rather your child chooses his or her faith when they are older. They can then decide to have a baptism in their chosen faith.

Three Godparents are required, two of them being the same sex of the child being Christened. They can be family or friends and be at least 16 years or older.