We at the Camden Anglican Parish are committed to families. We want the best for your children just as you do. So we offer parents the choice of a baptism or a thanksgiving service. Baptisms are for those who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. [1] Thanksgivings are for those who do not claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ but wish to thank God for the birth of their child.
All those who contact Camden Anglican Parish, with a baptism inquiry, are visited in their homes. At this interview, our policy is explained and parents are given the option of baptism or thanksgiving. [2]
Parents who choose baptism for their child complete a five-week course. Four of these sessions are a Christianity Explained Course and the fifth is a Supper night. Both parents are expected to attend these five sessions unless there are exceptional circumstances. Baptisms are normally held on the second Sunday of each month, at the 10am Family service.
The Christianity Explained Course looks at the New Testament to find out who Jesus Christ is, what he did, and what it means to be his follower.
The Supper night is held at St. John’s Anglican Church. On this night parents meet the senior minister who performs the baptism, watch a presentation about baptism and look at the baptismal service in the Prayer book.
In the thanksgiving service we give thanks for the gift of the child from God. We pray for the child that they may grow up to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not ask the parents to make any statements or promises in regard to the Christian Faith. Thanksgivings are held after the 10am family service, at 12pm, every Sunday.
Yours in Christ, Senior Minister,
Tony Galea
[1] Acts 2:38-39
[2] It is the parents who make the decision to baptize their child or have a thanksgiving service, not the Church