Baptisms 

IS ANY RECORD KEPT OF BAPTISM?

A Certificate of Baptism is issued and the child's name entered in the Church's Baptismal Register.

I HAVE HEARD OF A SERVICE OF BLESSING OF CHILDREN WHAT IS THIS?

We offer a service of blessing which opens the door to people who are not communicant members to have their child blessed by the minister during public worship.

The minister will discuss this with interested parents.

WHY BAPTISM?

For all believers and their children baptism is a sign of the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Christian upbringing of the chid is entrusted to the parents, family members and the congregation.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BAPTISM?

•  The parents must first request it.

•  The Kirk Session must authorise it

•  The Minister carries out the sacrament.

CAN ANYONE BRING A CHILD TO BE BAPTISED?

The Church Of Scotland lays down certain conditions and it is the responsibility of the Kirk Session to ensure that these conditions are met.

Baptism may be administered to a child:

a) where at least one parent, or other family member (with parental consent), having been baptised and being on the communion roll of the congregation, will undertake the Christian upbringing of the child;

b) where at least one parent, or other family member (with parental consent), having been baptised but not on the communion roll of the congregation, satisfies the minister and Kirk Session that he or she is an adherent of the congregation and will undertake the Christian upbringing of the child;

c) where at least one parent, or other family member (with parental consent), having been baptised, professes the Christian faith, undertakes to ensure that the child grows up in the life and worship of the Church and expresses the desire to seek admission to the communion roll of the congregation;

d) where the child is under legal guardianship, and the minister and Kirk Session are satisfied that the child shall be nurtured within the life and worship of the congregation;

A minister may baptise a child resident outwith the Parish, whose parents are not members of the congregation, with the permission of the Minister of that Parish.

You are asked to make certain promises:-

WHAT ARE THESE PROMISES?

When the parents or family members answer ‘I do' to the questions put by the Minister, you promise, before God, that:

a) you earnestly desire that your child be grafted into Christ as a member of His body, the Church.

b) you believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and confess Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

c) depending on the Grace of God, you will teach your child the truths and duties of the Christian Faith.

d) by prayer and example you will bring up your chid in the life and worship of the Church.

WHY IS BAPTISM CARRIED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONGREGATION?

The church is a family and the family cares for its children

The congregation also makes a promise – to do all we can to ensure that the child will grow up in the love and knowledge of Christ.