Baptism is a special Christian ceremony whereby during a service of worship the infant, child or adult who is being baptised is given a special blessing from God, and welcomed into membership of the wider Christian church. In the case of an infant and child, the parents promise to raise the infant or child within a Christian family and to bring their infant or child up in the knowledge of God.
An adult who is baptised makes similar promises on their own behalf and usually becomes a member of the church at the same time.
At Somervell the congregation also promises to love and care for any infants or children who are baptised, and to help the parents in the task of raising their children in the knowledge of God. We do this by providing Sunday school for children and a youth group for young people.
It is not Presbyterian tradition to involve godparents in the ceremony, however if parents wish to have a special friend or relation involved, we include them. If you are already a church member, you are entitled to a baptism for your children. If you are not a church member, the minister must make a recommendation to the church leadership before any baptism can take place.
If you are considering baptism for your infant or child it is best to make an appointment with the Somervell minister well in advance of the date you have in mind so that the minister can meet with you and make suitable arrangements for the ceremony.