Keynsham Methodist Church - Baptism and Dedication Services
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Within the Methodist Church, there is a choice available to parents who wish to have a Christian celebration of the arrival of a child in their human family.
Baptism is recognised across all the major Christian churches as the point of entry into membership of the church. In the Methodist Church, where the gift of baptism was given in childhood, this is then followed up by confirmation at a later date.
In the Methodist Church, baptism is declared to be a gift of God, freely given in love. We offer a variety of baptism services, suitable for very young children, children who wish to make their own baptism promises and adults. Where appropriate, baptism and confirmation take place in the same service.
In some circumstances, for instance where parents prefer to leave the choice of joining the church to their children to make for themselves in later life or where a child has been adopted, there is the option of a dedication service in which the themes are thanksgiving to God for the gift of children, assurance of God’s love for all, and our need of God’s blessing and help in the nurturing of our families.
When a child is to be baptised there is the possibility of inviting appropriate adults to be godparents or when a thanksgiving service is chosen appropriate adults can be invited to be supporters. In both cases, these should be people who hold a Christian faith and who will commit themselves to encouraging the child to explore and grow within the Christian faith. They may, or may not, also be the child's legal guardians, but the two roles are not automatically linked.
In both circumstances, the family are welcomed as part of Keynsham Methodist Church and are supported through links with the Family Church Worker. Please contact our Minister to arrange a visit when the options can be discussed, prior to a date for your child's baptism being set.