Walton Memorial Church

BAPTISMS/CHRISTENINGS

Walton welcomes you to contact us about a Baptism/Christening. You do not need to be a member. All we ask is that you attend a Baptismal information session, similar to a wedding rehearsal, to prepare for the Baptism/Christening of your child(ren).

The congregation would be delighted if you chose to have your child(ren) baptized at Walton. The following information will be very helpful in preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism. We invite you to read thoroughly all these items before you attend the Baptism Preparation Session.

We want the Sunday of the Baptism to be a wonderful day of celebration and thanksgiving. The better you and your family understand the order of worship and the various customs and options, the more you will enjoy this spiritual milestone in the life of your child. If our Minister, Rev. Gill, our Baptismal Co-ordinator, Val Waldron, or any other of the staff or leaders, can be of assistance, please contact us at (905) 827-1643 or use our E-mail address: waltonmemorial@cogeco.ca

MOST OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS

Do We Have To Be A Member of Walton?
No, we welcome you to have your child baptized at Walton, whether you are a member of the congregation or not. Of course, if you choose at some time to become a member, we would be honoured to have you.

When and Where Does The Baptism Take Place?
Baptisms take place during one of the morning worship services, usually within the first 20 minutes of service. In the summer our family service is as 10:00am. The rest of the year the large family service, with Sunday School and Nurserycare, is at 9:30am. The smaller, traditional service is at 11:00am, which many people prefer, to allow guests who are traveling from a distance have more time to reach the church. We have baptisms about half the Sundays of the year. Dates are usually available at any given time for various Sundays over the next ‘six months.’ We work on a ‘first come, first served’ system, so the earlier you reserve your Sunday and time, the more selection of dates will be available. We normally do not have more than two families having children baptized at any given service. A Baptism may be held anytime after at least one parent has attended the Baptismal Preparation Session.

What Are The Baptismal Preparation Sessions?
They are like a wedding rehearsal to prepare for the Baptism by going through various parts of the service. They also look at the history, holistic meaning, and options in the Sacrament of Baptism. We require at least one parent to attend a session before the actual Baptismal Sunday. Although, anyone is welcome to attend these sessions. Unfortunately we do not have childcare at the sessions, which are held in the Church Sanctuary. We offer the session about every 5 to 7 weeks, usually on Saturday mornings, from 9:00am until 10:30am. When you book your Baptismal Session, you can book your Baptism at the same time.

Does My Child Have To Wear A White Gown?
No, a gown is only an option that you may or may not choose. There is no requirement on the part of the Church that a gown must be worn or that the child needs to be dressed in white. Remember, children are usually more content being cooler than warmer during the service.

Can We Have Godparents?
Yes, but they are only an option on your part. We recommend every family have legal guardians, but Godparents are optional and based on your preference and perhaps your family traditions. The Godparents may or may not be the Guardians. It is your choice. You may have anywhere from 1 to 4 Godparents. They can be relatives or friends. They do not need to be married couples. You do not have to have an even number of men or women. They can actively be involved in the service if you choose. If they are not available the day of the service, you can have them named in absentia or have a surrogate stand in for them. A Godparent Certificate can be presented to them. The Role of the Godparents outlined in the certificate state the following:

" To be chosen as a godparent is a special honour. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child’s Christian life and education.
This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship - one that will last throughout this life and beyond.
There are many ways you can nurture this spiritual relationship and become a special friend to your godchild. Among them are:
- Celebrate the anniversary of this holy day of Baptism each year with a visit, a call, or a card.
- As your godchild grows, listen to and share in the struggles and triumphs of living a Christian life, and keep yourself informed on Christian doctrine and values, to be able to answer questions as they arise.
- Encourage a consistent life of faith through special cards, letters, or gifts which celebrate holy events...Christmas, Easter...and personal growth events...graduation, first job, engagement. (Gift suggestions: a Bible, spiritual book, rosary, religious jewelry, gift certificates for religious goods/books, retreat opportunity).
- Participate in, or send assurance of prayer, as your godchild receives the other sacraments, particularly Confirmation and First Communion, which complete initiation into the Church community.
- Be supportive of your godchild’s parents in their role as the primary religious educators of their child.
- And most importantly, become a model of Christian living for your godchild, through daily prayer, virtue and active participation in parish life and liturgy.
By living a Christian life in partnership with your godchild, both of you will experience the great joy of sharing a life of faith. Congratulations, and may God bless you!"

Is There Any Cost?
No, there are no fees for Baptisms or any of the supplies, like the certificates or candles. If you choose to make a donation to the Church in the offering plate which is passed during the service to everyone there, that is your option.

Can I Invite My Family And Friends?
Yes, please invite as many people as you would like to the service.

Recently we have had problems with guests arriving 10 to 20 minutes later for the service. We want your guests to be present when your child(ren) is baptized. To help solve this problem, we suggest the following:

Ask your guests to be at the service 15 minutes before it begins.
Inform the guests the Baptism is at the start of the service, not the end, as many denominations have it.
Provide a map to all your guests so they know exactly where the Church is located (available from the Church office or website: www.waltonmemorial.com, or the back cover of the white guidelines pamphlet).
Remind them if they do get here early they will be able to find a good parking space close to the building, plus a better seat in the Church, closer to where the Baptism is being performed. This will help you to enjoy the Baptism even more.

We offer the following counsel:

THE USE OF CAMERAS DURING THE SERVICE IS NOT PERMISSIBLE. You are asked not to take photos during the service. Following the service you are most welcome to take as many pictures as you wish at the front of the Sanctuary and around the Baptismal Font. If you wish Rev. Gill in the picture, he would be pleased to join you for photos once he has greeted other worshippers-just ask him!
The use of Video Cameras is allowed for Baptism, but only from the balcony. Please use the single front pew on the east side of the balcony. This way, the camera will not obstruct any other worshippers line of sight.
Children and infants are welcome to stay for the remainder of the service in the Sanctuary, following the Baptism. However, for the benefit of all worshippers, if your children become restless, upset, or bored (as children sometimes do!) we encourage parents to take their children out of the Sanctuary. Nursery care and Sunday School are available (at the 9:30am service, or the 10am service in the summer time). Guests are always welcome to join our Sunday School for the day. The young people leave for Sunday School following the children’s story in the service. If you are unsure where your child should go for Sunday School, the ushers will be happy to assist you in finding the appropriate room. The Nursery room is located on the lower level of the Church. Washrooms are located in the hallway, just prior to entering the Bronte Hall, or across from the Nursery room on the lower level. If the situation arises and you need to take your child out, please do not feel uncomfortable about having to leave the worship service (we understand).
The red covered Voices United Hymnbook and the Bible are found in the rack in front of you. The black hymnbook, when used, is given out by the ushers. The hymn number is announced before the hymn is sung. The Scripture lesson(s) for the day are listed in the bulletin.
The presentation of tithes and donations takes place before the sermon. Ushers will come forward and a collection plate will be passed. Should you wish to receive a receipt for your offering, please use a Visitor’s Envelope which you will find in the rack with the hymnbooks and Bibles.
We close our service by singing one of the anthems which are printed on the back cover of the Voices United Hymnbook.
Our coffee hour occurs after our first service, at 10:30am, and before our second service, 11:00am. It is held in the Bronte Hall (located to your right and down the stairs as you leave the Sanctuary). In the summertime, it is lemonade on the front lawn following the 10:00am service.

We hope this information is helpful and allows you to participate and enjoy this time of worship at Walton Church. Please come and join us again soon in worship.

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Walton Memorial United Church

Baptisms

BAPTISMS/CHRISTENINGS

MOST OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS