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| People were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs’. The Gospel According to St. Luke 18.15-16. | |||||||||||||||||
| ABOUT BAPTISM | |||||||||||||||||
| Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. It is a first step we take in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful and unrepeatable moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, make some serious promises, and declare our faith. Hearing and doing these things provides those who are already baptised an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church. | |||||||||||||||||
| The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit, as Jesus was at his baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there is a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives. | |||||||||||||||||
| Adapted from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, © 2000. | |||||||||||||||||
| BAPTISM AT ST JOHN’S TOORAK | |||||||||||||||||
 | St. John’s welcomes all who seek Christian Baptism for themselves or for a child. Although St. John’s is an Anglican Church, Baptism is into the Christian church and all major Christian denominations recognise each other’s rite of baptism. At. St. John’s Baptisms normally take place on Sunday afternoons from 12noon in half hour increments. For groups of up to thirty persons the Baptism will be held in the beautiful Angel Chapel. Larger groups will gather in the main body of the church. The Baptism may also take place during a Sunday service of worship at either 8am or 10am Sunday. Not all Sundays or times are available as the church may be periodically used for other purposes, however every effort is made to accommodate the wishes and needs of the family concerned. If held outside of a Sunday service at 12noon, the service will be about 20 minutes in length. | ||||||||||||||||
| THE ANGEL CHAPEL | |||||||||||||||||
| Most baptisms at St John's take place in the very beautiful Angel Chapel, which is accessed via the south lawn (facing Clendon Rd) or through the main doors of the church and on the right as you face the altar. The chapel holds about 30 people comfortably. Click here to read more about the Angel Chapel at St John's Toorak. | |||||||||||||||||
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| PREPARATION | |||||||||||||||||
| At St. John’s we believe that the very best form of preparation for Christian Baptism is to attend a service of worship in the place where the baptism will take place. Services at St. John's Toorak are every Sunday at 8am and 10am (the latter service includes Sunday School), and all are most welcome. Those who have arranged for a Baptism at St. John's should attend a service prior to the Baptism and make themselves known to the vicar of the parish, Archdeacon Dr Bradly Billings, at that time. If this is not possible contact should be made with Brad through the parish office with a view to arranging for an alternative time to meet. | |||||||||||||||||
| EMMAUS: THE WAY OF FAITH | |||||||||||||||||
All preparing for baptism themselves, or for the baptism of a child, are encouraged to participate in Emmaus: the way of faith. The Emmaus journey begins every Sunday at 5pm in the Angel Chapel at St John's (from Sunday October 10th). A short service of worship is followed by a presentation on an aspect of Christian beleif and practice. No prior knoweldge of the church or Christianity is assumed and all are welcome. For more information about Emmaus: the way of faith click on the logo below.  | |||||||||||||||||
| ORDER OF SERVICE | |||||||||||||||||
To see the order of service used at a Baptism in the Anglican Church, and to download the service in MS Word format, go to the Baptism Order of Service page. | |||||||||||||||||
| CONTACT | |||||||||||||||||
For enquiries about Baptism at St. John’s | |||||||||||||||||
