Christening

**Harmony83** · 31-08-2005 08:53

Hello everyone...
I want to get my little boy Christened but have no idea how. So I have a few questions???
1. I was Christened but my partner hasn't been, is this a prob?
2. We don't visit Church - do we need to?
3. What is a good age, he is 5 months now.
4. What and how do you organise it???
I'll probably have heaps more but this is all I can think off???

Thanks guys

**Briannabear** · 31-08-2005 09:19

Originally Posted by Harmony83

Hello everyone...
I want to get my little boy Christened but have no idea how. So I have a few questions???
1. I was Christened but my partner hasn't been, is this a prob?
2. We don't visit Church - do we need to?
3. What is a good age, he is 5 months now.
4. What and how do you organise it???
I'll probably have heaps more but this is all I can think off???

Thanks guys

Hi! To answer your questions:

1. That depends on the church - some might get a bit funny about it, others wont. You are best to ask them. If they have a problem with it, find a different church!

2. Again that depends on the church. Some will require you to be a regular attender - others dont really mind, and are quite happy to do it - they generally love having babies in the service! My friend picked a church out because it looked pretty. She didnt know anyone who went there, and she didnt know the minister! They didnt have a problem with it at all!

3. Any age you want is a good age! Thats completely up to you. My DD was around that age when we baptised her and it was fine.

4. To organise it, first find a church. Make sure you and your partner are happy with the minister. Once you've found a church, set a date. Its up to you if you want to make a big deal of it or not. We had our family and close friends over for a BBQ lunch afterwards and made a day of it! It was just nice to catch up with everyone. I sent out invitations because we were hosting lunch. We had a nice cake done too.

But like I said, its up to you how much of an event you want to make it!
The other thing to think of is the outfit you'll put your son in. There are some gorgeous little boy Christening/ Baptism outfits now! You may have a family heirloom, like we did, that you want to put him in.

Then theres the issue of Godparents, if you want to have them. (which can be a battle in itself - if you have a big family like us!). We put a lot of thought into picking them, as Baptising/ Christening is really important to us.

Good luck, I hope this has been some help to you!

**Audrey** · 31-08-2005 09:28

Hi Harmony83,

The best way to start would be to phone the Priest/Minister at the church where you would like to have the Christening. They should be able to answer any questions that you have and to set a time and date. Just a word of warning, if you find the Priest/Minister a bit grumpy or unhelpful, don't be put off. Try phoning another Church. Some are more easy going than others.

To answer your questions:-

1. It doesn't matter if your partner is not christened himself.
2. It might depend on the church, but should be OK. You can always say that you go occassionly.
3. Any age is fine, but it is easier if they are younger. Three to six months is perfect.
4. When my son was Christened, I rang the Priest, organised a date and time (Sunday after usual church services). The Priest told me to dress the baby in white and bring a candle. There was no need for a rehearsal. He talked us through the ceremony on the day. I asked my sister and her husband to be God parents. Again only one of the God parents needs to be Christened. I sent invitations to friends and family and organised a sausage sizzle and cake at my home afterwards. I also specified no gifts as we had already received so many when the baby was born.

I hope this has helped a bit.
Audrey

**kaydensmum** · 31-08-2005 13:14

Hi Harmony 83.
Kayden is 10mths & he will be baptised in 2 weeks.
As everyone else said to do, we made contact with the church (catholic) who passed our details onto a member of the baptism team. We then had to go to a 1/2 hr meeting (only one of us had to attend) & then last week attend a welcoming mass which was really beautiful. Only one godparent has to be catholic - we chose my sister and brother-in-law as we have found that friends change, come and go over the years and at the end of the day if anything happened to us, we would want 'family' to raise Kayden. We need to provide a candle and Kayden needs to wear an article of white clothing - my mums organised some sort of bib???? (i haven't seen it yet). As someone else said, if its to much of a hassle, find a different church

. I have found the whole process to be really relaxed and frienddly - the church we chose was recommended by two of the mothers in our group who had their daughters baptised there. Hope this helps and good luck

.
Carole.

**Harmony83** · 31-08-2005 20:03

Also, I was told they don't charge, that you have to make a donation instead?? Is that true?

**Briannabear** · 31-08-2005 21:54

Some churches will ask for a donation - some dont. We did, only because we love the church + priest!

**kaydensmum** · 01-09-2005 08:46

that's right - the 'donation' was mentioned in a relaxed manner (i felt they were more uncomfortable bringing it up than us), it's really up to you whether u donate or not and the amount is totally up to what you can afford or feel you want to contribute. we are going to donate we just haven't decided on a figure!!!!

Carole.