BAPTISM IN THE DIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

1. BAPTISM IN THE DIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL • Results of an online survey

2. THE SURVEY • Snapshot of practice in the Diocese • Give a sense of the range of baptismal experience offered • No right or wrong answers!

3. 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%

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. THE DATA • Numbers of baptisms per year

8. THE DATA • Survey respondents’ churchmanship: 42% evangelical, 30% broad church, 20% catholic • 32% urban, 56% suburban

9. THE DATA • Usual Sunday attendance

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.