Cornwood Church

Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation

Please do get in touch if you are wanting to plan a baptism at St. Michael and All Angels Cornwood.

Alternatively, you can phone our Vicar, Paul Hinckley on 01752 895 227 or email him at vicar [dot] sdmc [at] gmail [dot] com, or fill in an online enquiry form here https://southdartmoormc.myiknowchurch.co.uk/led/enquiryForm/baptism

In baptism, parents thank God for his gift of life, make a decision to start the child on the journey of faith and ask for the Church's support. For more information see the Church of England website.

Baptism is the start of a journey into faith. It is like a seed which is sown by God and is nurtured by parents, Godparents, the local church and school. Something which may or may not happen depending on the commitment of those involved.

Baptism is a journey into Christ and his church. A journey in which there are several milestones; the receiving of Holy Communion marks the end of the beginning possibly about 8 or 9 years old and is one such milestone. At the age of 11 onwards "Confirmation" is another milestone. Confirmation means "strengthening" by God the Holy Spirit for discipleship and service after the example of Christ. In the Baptism service the parents and Godparents as Christians "do" for the child what the child cannot do for himself or herself in order that the child may eventually do it for themselves. It is in the faith, prayer and commitment of the parents and Godparents that the child is held before God. Quite a responsibility.

In God's church it is a life of Grace which God provides. A way of transformation, a source of healing, and a means of bettering and repairing the world in which we live. Into the "way" a child is drawn at Baptism. At the age of 8 or 9 the child receives First Communion. Then at 11 or onwards goes on to Confirmation if they so wish. Then one will be a fully fledged disciple, spiritually equipped and prepared.

There is no better way of achieving the gift of faith that is offered at baptism than by being a member of a church community such as St. Michael's, Cornwood. The church community assists parents in the nurture, the education, the transformation. Also being a member of a church community, one becomes part of a tradition that puts one in touch with the wisdom and beauty of the past. The church to which one belongs is a community of memory, a spiritual home into which one is born and grows up. Its stones, its language, music and ethos become familiar as it nurtures supports and encourages us on life's amazing journey. And all fellow Christians become our brothers and sisters.

So there we have it: the gift of faith - a pilgramage of Grace. United with Christ in Baptism; strengthened and gifted by the Holy Spirit in Confirmation we are sustained in our ongoing Christian life and witness by sharing in the celebration of the Church's Eucharist and by receiving Holy Communion.

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