Baptism and Dedication

Some parents wish their child to be baptised (christened) soon after birth by a threefold pouring of water over the child’s head.

Other parents prefer to give thanks for the gift of a child with a service of dedication and then wait until the child grows up enough to make their own decision. The right age for this depends on the individual child.

Baptism can take place at any age thereafter, whenever someone has chosen to follow Jesus. There is no upper age limit! In our church’s understanding it can happen only once.

Both baptism and dedication take place in our main service, so we can give a proper welcome.

Confirmation and Membership

Some young people who have grown up in the church, whether they were baptised or dedicated, will wish to make their own declaration of faith and become full members of the church in their own right. This is sometimes called confirmation. At a membership or confirmation service we pray for the new church member, asking for God’s spirit to help them follow Jesus.

Like baptism, membership of the church can be requested at any age. Becoming a church member shows you have committed yourself to the local church as well as to God. It brings the privilege of voting at church meeting. And if somebody has previously been a member of another church, they can transfer their membership to our congregation.

Weddings

Avenue St Andrew’s is registered for the celebration of first or subsequent Christian marriages, including same-sex marriages, after preparation classes.

No ministerial fee is charged for a church member or the child of a church member to marry in church. Fees payable for other aspects of a wedding can be found here.