Having your child baptized can be a big moment in your life. Of course, you may not have the slightest clue how to plan this event. Since you were likely a baby yourself during your own christening, you’ll definitely need a bit of assistance putting everything together. Review this checklist and get a better feel for how to plan this milestone moment.
Start With the Church
The easiest way to begin the process is by reaching out to a representative of the church where you’d like the ceremony held. Usually, the parents have a location in mind, but you could be in a situation where you’re starting from scratch. If you aren’t currently a member of the church’s congregation, you will need to follow the proper process for joining. You want to take care of this as early as possible, as certain denominations have longer waiting periods than others. The sooner you register, the sooner you can hold the baptism.
Select a Date
After joining a church, you need to come up with a date to hold the event. Unlike weddings and funeral services, baptisms are sometimes conducted in groups. This means you have a bit more flexibility when picking a date and time. Still, you need to work with the church to ensure no other events are happening on your desired date. Once the day is made official with the venue, you can start the rest of the planning.
Prepare Your Paperwork
Typically, the church will require you to produce a few documents in order to register your child for a christening. In most cases, you will need to show an official or photocopy of your child’s birth certificate. Some stricter churches may also require the parents to bring their marriage certificate as proof of their union. This practice is not as common anymore, though each individual church withholds the right to turn away any couple based on any reason.
If you are not a member of the church and are looking to conduct the ceremony there anyway, an endorsement letter from a current parishioner may be requested. Finally, you will discuss the overall costs of the ceremony and may be asked to make a deposit to secure the date. You may even be required to pay in full, depending on the rules of your parish.
Pick the Godparents
One of the more exciting aspects of planning a baptism is selecting the godparents. Whether you’re very religious or mainly secular in your approach to daily life, the role of godparent is one that can mean a lot to the person who fills it. It is usually best to select godparents who are likely to always be present in the child’s life, like a direct relative or childhood friend. Selecting people you’ve known a short while or through your place of employment may not be the best decision as the years go on and your priorities shift.
Put Together the Party
It is commonplace to host a small party after the ceremony in order to thank guests for joining in the day’s festivities. This does not need to be an elaborate affair, but you should put some thought behind the arrangements. Depending on the size, it may be practical to rent space in a local restaurant or have people come to your home for a BBQ. Be sure to send out invitations as early as possible to get an accurate headcount and put the finishing touches on your event.
Though there are a number of important points you must hit along the way, planning your child’s christening doesn’t need to be a complicated process. Review what you need to accomplish to put together a strategy that works.
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