BAPTISM IN THE DIOCESE OF LIVERPOOLResults of an online survey

THE SURVEY

Snapshot of practice in the Diocese

Give a sense of the range of baptismal experience offered

No right or wrong answers!

THE DATA

Bookings taken mostly either Ad Hoc, or at a bookings hour

Dates often given immediately but 33% after visit to church or preparation

30% use group preparation, 48% visit the family home. 15% vicarage visits

Preparation done by clergy 56%, laity 36%, together 7%

THE DATA

Visiting Church beforehand: 40% not at all, 24% at least once, 11% 3+ times

46% in the morning service, 33% afterwards, 20% other (usually both)

27% have a Eucharist at least occasionally

75% have congregational singing

THE DATA

2% use BCP, 29% use Common Worship with main choices, 54% use Common Worship with some alternatives, 11% written their own

84% have 2-3 families in the service

Collection: 42% during the service, 29% afterwards, 29% not at all

Most provide some hospitality - some before the service

THE DATA

Visits to the church after the baptism:

Some present candles and certificate the week after

32% routinely do invite, 38% don’t, and other invite to various services, including special occasions and family services

16% visit at home afterwards

50% send anniversary cards

THE DATA

Numbers of baptisms per year

THE DATA

Survey respondents’ churchmanship: 42% evangelical, 30% broad church, 20% catholic

32% urban, 56% suburban

THE DATA

Usual Sunday attendance

THE STORIES

At St. Cedd’s

We are given an application form, and encouraged to attend church for three weeks

Once we’ve set the date, members of the baptism team, who we recognise from Sunday, visit us to prepare us

The service is after the morning service on the 1st Sunday

We’re given refreshments when we arrive with the congregation

THE STORIES

At St. Cedd’s

The service is Common Worship, but with some of the alternatives used to make it more appropriate

After the baptism, there is some reflective music played to help us pray

We’re invited back the following week to receive our certificate and a bible

The church keep sending us a card for three years, and then keep in touch through the local church school

THE STORIES

St. Cedric’s

We ring up for advice, and are directed to a midweek bookings hour

Despite waiting behind a couple getting married, we are able to book a date that the church is free and we can make.

We’re given a leaflet with information about the church on, and invited to a preparation session in church the month beforehand

THE STORIES

St. Cedric’s

At the preparation session, the vicar and a couple of helpers take us through the service

They also take the opportunity to briefly introduce some of the other things happening at the church

We’re invited to church the week beforehand to get a feel for the building

THE STORIES

St. Cedric’s

The service happens during the main Sunday service, which seems fairly relaxed and fun.

The children are well provided for, with their own area and special toys for them

Afterwards, there’s tea and biscuits, and we’re invited to the next Family Service

THE WISDOM

Baptism preparation is being taken seriously by the church

Gulf between baptism families and baptism / church

Some struggle with capacity because of the number of baptisms

Some contact maintained through cards, emails, invitations to special events

THE WISDOM

What provision made for children: we baptise them…

Much really good practice! CCFA working

Toy bags, children’s areas, children’s toys

Shortened sermon

THE WISDOM

Cake made from Costco with children’s names on

Welcome and candle given at the following Sunday’s morning service

Parenting Course offered

Invites to Crib Service, Messy Church, etc.