St Lawrence Church Bidborough

St Lawrence Church, Bidborough



Know God, Show His Love, Grow His Church

Southborough Team

Baptisms

baptism What is baptism? Baptism is the sign of entry into the Christian church.

The church is happy to baptise a child of believing parents, on the understanding that parents and godparents will bring the child up with a knowledge of what the Christian faith stands for, so that when the child is older, he or she can make a decision for Jesus Christ for themselves. (This is often marked at a Confirmation Service.)

What happens in the Baptism service?

During the Baptism service, which usually takes place at our 11.00am Family Service on the first Sunday of the month, parents and godparents will publicly declare their own faith, and make promises on behalf of the child. Soon after the beginning of the service, the family and friends of the baptism candidate will be invited to gather around the font. The minister will mark the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead, as a reminder of what Jesus has done for each one of us. Water is poured on the child’s head, signifying cleansing and renewal, and a candle will be given, another symbol of Jesus - the light of the world.

Godparents

It is usual to invite a few people to act as godparents to your child. Traditionally, three are chosen - two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex (although other numbers and combinations are possible). Godparents must be baptised themselves, and ideally will be regular worshippers.

Who can be Baptised?

In order to be eligible for a baptism service at St Lawrence, you must either live in the Bidborough section of our parish, or be a regular worshipping member of our church, or have a significant and ongoing link with the church. If you would like to arrange a baptism, please contact Stephen Hills. Stephen will then put you in touch with our Pastoral Assistant, Claire Wells, who will arrange to visit you.

If you decide on baptism for your child, Claire will take you through a course of preparation over one or two sessions. For young children this will include an opportunity for them to think about what will happen on their special day. Of course there will also be opportunities for you to join us in worship during services, including family services and services for adults, babies and little children before and after the baptism day.

An application form will be sent to you after this preparation.

Service of Thanksgiving

You may not feel able, in all honesty, to make the promises that are required in the baptism service, but may still want to thank God for the amazing gift of your child. In that case, why not have a Service of Thanksgiving, in which you can thank God for your child and we can pray God’s blessing on him or her. You can still arrange a baptism at any stage later on if you wish to. Again, please speak to Stephen for details.

News

Daily Prayers

BCP Morning Prayer
CW Morning Prayer
BCP Evening Prayer
CW Evening Prayer

Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2009.

Church Open Day and Sponsored Bike Ride

11th September. If you would like to get involved contact Bill Snell.

Soul Survivor

Contact Anne Hinds if you would like to join the youngsters attending this year 11-15 August.

C.A.M.E.O. Teas

Cameo
Cameo teas have restarted. Come along to the Small Village Hall on Thursdays from 4pm to 4.45pm for tea, cakes and friendship.

C.A.M.E.O. Lunch

On the second Sunday of the month in term time in the school hall. If you are not with family or friends on those days, you are very welcome to join us from 12.30pm, eating around 1.00pm. Please give Helen Taylor a call on 544588 if you would like to come.

Women's Institute

The next meeting will be on 19th July at 7.45pm in the Village Hall. Subject for the evening will be 'An Inspector Called' by Don Buckland.

Crisis Recovery

The Day Centre would be happy to receive donations of second-hand clean clothes and shoes for their guests (particularly men’s clothing). If you can help please get in touch with Alan Richards on 528916.

Free Rice

Free Rice
Click on the rice bowl and you will be offered a word and four possible meanings. Click on the correct one and the advertisers on the site will pay for 20 grains of rice to go to the hungry of the world. Watch the grains of rice accumulate as you play – 5000 grains are a bowlful!

Traidcraft

There is a Traidcraft stall in Church on the first Sunday of every month. Please support this worthwhile project, which last year sold £7000 worth of goods in local churches.

Brownies

We welcome the 1st Bidborough Brownies for Church Parade during family services.
Brownie

St Lawrence Recipe Collection

Still available, at £5.00 per copy.
Contact Jenny Heyes or Deborah Snelling.

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