st mary's church, billingshurst
Welcome to the website of St Mary's Church, Billingshurst, West
Sussex
Baptism guide
What commitment do Parents and Godparents have to make?
In Infant Baptism, God plants the seeds of faith in a young life. God does the planting, but the Parents and Godparents promise to nurture that faith. Children are baptised on the understanding that they will receive a Christian upbringing. Parents and Godparents are expected to help their children, both by teaching and example, to be regular members of the worshipping church and in private prayer.
During Baptism preparation, which we arrange with each family, we explore in depth these promises and questions which Parents and Godparents are asked to make, and the questions which Parents and Godparents must answer. We would like you to discuss these promises with those you might be thinking of asking to be Godparents, to make sure the Godparents can themselves make these promises.
There is little point in baptising children unless they are to receive a Christian upbringing. The Parents and Godparents must really commit themselves to nurturing and growing the seeds of faith.
Please note: it is not our policy to baptise the children of families resident outside the parish unless they are regular worshippers at St Mary's.
Godparents
Each child usually has three Godparents (it can be more or less; speak to the Vicar about this). Two should be of the same sex as your child, and one of the opposite sex. Parents can be Godparents to their own child. Godparents must be baptised Christians, and they should also be confirmed (this is because Godparents make promises on behalf of the child, and it is thus essential that they have first made those promises for themselves).
Where the Vicar is asked to use his discretion to waive the requirement for Godparents to be confirmed, he will want an assurance of the understanding of the Baptismal promises and commitment by those being asked to be Godparents.
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