The Benefice of Cherbury with Gainfield welcomes all who wish to be baptised into the Church of England.

BAPTISM SERVICES
We encourage families to attend the regular morning service of their local church for the baptism.  If there are difficulties with this for personal reasons, then a Baptism Service will be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 11.30 am, in various churches, according to need.  It should be understood, however, that only one baptism service per month will be held in a particular church; therefore it is possible that more than one baby will be baptised in the same service.

There is no fee, although a collection will be taken.

GOD PARENTS
Church Law requires three godparents to be appointed.  Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptized as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. It is an important and responsible role.  You should have at least three godparents; two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Parents can also be godparents.  Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child's spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. They should be baptized themselves.

APPLICATION FOR A BAPTISM
If you want your baby to be baptised, please contact either the Rector or the Associate Priest. They will give you a 'Baptism Application Form'.  This takes the details of your name and address and those of the godparents.  It is used for filling in the Church Baptism Register.  They will also discuss possible dates and times for the service with you.  Once you have returned this form, and agreed a time and date for the baptism, either a member of the clergy or a member of your local church will visit you.  They will talk about the service with you and welcome you into the Church.  You may wish to attend your local church so that you and your family can get used to the building and what goes on there.

After the baptism you will be invited to join us for our Family Services and any other events we think you may be interested in.  We hope your baby's baptism will be a wonderful and memorable occasion and that it will mark the beginning of a long and happy association with this church.

If you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Rector:

The Revd Neal Phair
The Rectory
Church Lane, Longworth
Abingdon OX13 5DX

t: 01865 821277
e: nealphair@hotmail.com