During a christening your child will be baptized with water. It’s the start of an amazing journey of faith for your child and a special day for all your friends and family. Follow the links to find answers to your questions and to explore all that a christening means, not just on the day but long afterwards.

One of the first things you will need to do is be in touch with your local church. It might seem daunting, but whether you speak to an administrator, a friendly parent like you from the church, or the vicar, they will be glad to hear from you. Find out more about what you can expect when you make that call.

Godparents are really important. Choosing them is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Whether you are still thinking or have already asked some special friends, discover more about what it means to be or have godparents. Whether you have questions about gifts or want to explore the promises, there are answers to your questions here.

Friends and family, godparents and guests might want to buy something special for the christening. There are keepsake presents, religious gifts or gifts that make a difference. All of these can reflect the values that matter to you – values like kindness, generosity and thinking of others. There are a lot of ideas here, and some will help benefit other children through our special partnership with The Children’s Society.

Getting ready for your child’s christening is exciting. But there’s also a lot to think about and do. Whether you have done this before or not, read on for some helpful ideas and tips.

Discover exactly what will happen during a christening service with our unique step-by-step guide. The guide takes you from the moment of welcome at the beginning through all the different things that happen.

The party’s over, the balloons are down and the outfit is packed away. But the amazing journey of faith continues. Find out here some simple ideas to help as life settles down and your child begins to grow up.

There is a special, but simple, service of thanksgiving, which is a lovely time when you can be with friends and family, ask for God’s blessing and pray for your baby. It’s different from a christening so read on to discover whether this is something to explore further with your local church.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about christenings. Or ask your own question if it hasn’t already been answered.

There are lots of ways to continue the amazing journey of faith as a family. It’s not just about special times, but about the ordinary times of wonder, love and joy – and the times when things go wrong. The candle given at the christening reminds us that a child shines as a light in the world – and also that God is always with us.

Lighting a candle is a great way to pray for a child who has been, or will be, christened. Lighting a candle is a great way to do that, either here or in a church.

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