St Clement’s church is regularly the scene of baptisms. People sometimes ask what the requirements are for baptism of a baby.

Baptism has been called the certificate of membership of the Christian church; a sign that someone is beginning on a journey of faith. Godparents or sponsors make promises with parents to support the child in his or her journey of faith.

Nowadays baptisms take place during the church morning service, rather than at a semi-private family ceremony, as used to be the custom. This is because baptism signifies entry into the church family, who welcome the newly baptised and will share together as partners in the common adventure of faith.

Baptism is also into the worldwide church — not just one local parish church. This is important in today’s mobile society, where those baptised may well move to other parts of Britain and abroad in the course of their lives. If not already part of the church family, those who bring children to be baptised will become part of that church community. Here children can grow up and be nurtured within the range of activities offered by St Clement’s.

Although people popularly associate baptism with infants, St Clement’s also has baptisms of teenagers and adults. This is for those not baptised as infants, and often takes place at the time of Confirmation.