"It is the policy of this parish to agree to baptise any children of parents who
request it and who are willing to make the requisite promises. It is our responsibility as a parish of the Church of England to only baptise children of
parents living within the parish or who are regular church attenders and/or
are on
the Electoral Roll of the parish.
Where parents are infrequent in their attendance, there will be suitable preparation
containing elements of what the Christian faith is, what baptism is and how might children grow up in the faith
of Jesus Christ. Materials such as the Alpha course, the video 'Christianity,
Boring Irrelevant Untrue', home visits and any other suitable items may be used. We will also offer a service of Thanksgiving to parents for whom the
promises contained in the Baptism Service might cause concerns of conscience or who are from a Christian tradition where baptism is a rite to be
entered once the candidate can decide for themselves.
We will usually baptise on one Sunday a month, which will be communicated to parents on application.
Where parents are not resident in the parish and are not regular attenders and/or
are not on the Electoral Roll we will refer them to
their local parish church. Children might still be baptised if very strong local
connections can be established and a willingness to undergo preparation is demonstrated.
Attendance at Church services will also be strongly encouraged. However, we will not delay baptism for the sake of a period of
attendance at church or at a course run by the church.
If an adult wishes to be baptised we will provide a service of baptism by immersion if
required.
Penn Street with Holmer Green PCC, 9th December 2002."
