MSE Pregnancy Club 18

ethelsmum

We have had ds and dd christened and our church charged a small fee for certificates - about £10 if not less. We had to attend a family worship session the month before the christening (although we completely forgot with dd:o).

Our church does state that Godparents have to be baptised - which is why we couldn't ask my brother.

Hugs Smartie xxx

Sorry can't remember anything else

KT1985

It does depend which church tradition you come from and what you actually believe about baptism and its function. I am a Baptist and believe that baptism is what you do as a symbol of your living faith, as a mark of being reborn. However, I do understand that other churches interpret scripture differently on this subject, as it being a welcome into the church family, or even to remove original sin so that if babies die they will go to heaven. The words of the service differ from denomination to denomination, some indeed making promises as parents 'on behalf of' (ie in the absence of understanding on the part of the child) the child that they can 'confirm' their belief in God and renew those promises later.

However, you do promise as the childs parent and as Godparents (in pretty much all Christening services) to bring the child up to know God and to nurture their faith.

Its just one view point and just what I believe combined with having worked for different denominations.

delain

I'd like to have my brother for the girls, well all of them really but as I said, OH is quite set on who he wants for little monster, so she may end up with two sets of Godparents

Are you allowed to have two sets of Godparents?!

ETA: I haven't taken the monsters to Sunday School for a few weeks but only because I haven't been able to sit down for the whole length of the service and if I did I wouldn't be able to stand up again after

If we go this sunday I can grab the vicar for a chat :rotfl:

redmel1621

Hey everyone

Intersesting Christening discussion:)

Although I said a Christening is what we are having, I very lazily couldn't be bothered to actually state that what we are actually having for our kids is a non religious 'Naming Ceremony' This is also what we had for our two older boys. I would be happy to not have bothered at all, so would dh, but this was our comprimise on behalf of both our grandparents and MIL......Both sets of grandparents are very set in their ways and I know would be very upset if we didn't get 'them done' so this is almost as good in their eyes, as it takes place in church and has godparents allocated to the children.

I am hoping my grandparents are both alive and well enough to attend in September as they are both very ill and are spending increasing lengths of time in hospital due to various illness/conditions. Just last week my grandad had another stroke and spent 2wks in hospital!!!

I am not christened, dh is but neither of us believe in any religion so wouldn't therefore push something we don't believe in on our children..

Sorry that is a bit rushed so apologies if it doesn't read too well, I am cooking dinner at the same time:)

Mel x

pigpen

delain wrote: »

I know of st johns wort but I'm not sure if that's ok in pregnancy.

no it isn't.. apparently.. you aren't supposed to take it when breastfeeding either..

KT1985 wrote: »

However, you do promise as the childs parent and as Godparents (in pretty much all Christening services) to bring the child up to know God and to nurture their faith.

that is what I said lol.. The parents/godparents make a vow that they will teach the child the ways of the faith.. then when the children are older (usually about 13.. as historically this is when they were classed as adults) they take on the faith in their ow nright.. should they choose too... having been given the spiritual grounding and teaching in their childhood by the parents/godparents.. hence confirmation/bah mitzvah for example.

As most religions are from the same source this is pretty much standard across the board.

It is hypocritical of adults to make these vows saying they will teach the child when they have no intention of doing so... which is why I am baffled by parents who go to church saying they won't be baptising their children.. why not? You will be teaching your child about God and your own faith which is all you promise to do at their baptism... you don't promise they will go to church forever more.. just that you will teach them and in some cases allow them to be part of the church community.

Delain.. mine all have 4 godparents.. only DD3 had a married couple... one of whom has since died.. I wouldn't have a married couple as godparents unless you wanted them both. Mind you, most of our godparents haven't been married.

Oh and todays development.. it appears baby is engaged..

ethelsmum

delain wrote: »

I'd like to have my brother for the girls, well all of them really but as I said, OH is quite set on who he wants for little monster, so she may end up with two sets of Godparents

Are you allowed to have two sets of Godparents?!

Most of the christenings we've been to there has been 4 godparents. Our church gave the guideline of 3 godparents - 2 of the same sex as the child and then a godparent of the opposite sex.

smartie12

delain wrote: »

Vent away! We all have those kinds of days. Not sure about natural remedies for depression, I know of st johns wort but I'm not sure if that's ok in pregnancy.

From my googling it looks like you can't take it in pregnancy... and plus I'm on medication for my Crohns that it may interact with.

I've decided to go on ML on Sunday:eek: (my birthday!:D) I'll be 29 weeks. It will give me the chance to then totally chill and not worry about having to do any unexpected orders etc. DH is going to sort out my website so it says "currently on maternity leave":) I'm still going to keep some jewellery in one shop during the summer as it's already there and the money will keep the business account ticking over.

Did I say I'll be chilling??? I've actually got 101 things to do as.... we've decided to put house on the market as soon as bean arrives and then rent a 3 bed until we're in the situation to be able to buy one. Still got loads of decorating to do, clutter to get rid of etc etc. I've been feeling so lightheaded so it'll be a case of doing 5 mins then sitting down!!:rotfl:

Bean will not be christened, baptised... or even named as we're still struggling with one!!!:p

pigpen

Smartie.. we don't have a name either.. it is getting called Squeak forever!

KT1985

pigpen wrote: »

that is what I said lol.. The parents/godparents make a vow that they will teach the child the ways of the faith.. then when the children are older (usually about 13.. as historically this is when they were classed as adults) they take on the faith in their ow nright.. should they choose too... having been given the spiritual grounding and teaching in their childhood by the parents/godparents.. hence confirmation/bah mitzvah for example.

As most religions are from the same source this is pretty much standard across the board.

It is hypocritical of adults to make these vows saying they will teach the child when they have no intention of doing so... which is why I am baffled by parents who go to church saying they won't be baptising their children.. why not? You will be teaching your child about God and your own faith which is all you promise to do at their baptism... you don't promise they will go to church forever more.. just that you will teach them and in some cases allow them to be part of the church community.

Delain.. mine all have 4 godparents.. only DD3 had a married couple... one of whom has since died.. I wouldn't have a married couple as godparents unless you wanted them both. Mind you, most of our godparents haven't been married.

I explained why... because as a Baptist we believe that baptism is for declaring your own personal faith when you are able to do so for yourself. my understanding from scripture is that people believed first and were then baptised.

At the dedication we will be promising to care for them and also to share our faith, but without the baptism bit because of what we believe about it. Also, the emphasis is slightly different as the church family promises to help and it is to say thank you for the gift of the children.

If it helps, I am baffled when people who don't regularly attend a church as believers want to christen their children but it is completely down to individual choice and belief and I appreciate that my beliefs are quite different to those of other people.

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

Smartie, what about rescue remedy ? I think it's ok in pregnancy. I'm seeing a counseller for my depression,anxiety and panic attacks. Been to 4 sessions and feel it's helping, my gp referred me. There is some medication that can be taken in pregnancy for depression, I would strongly recommend seeing your gp as if not dealt with now it can leave you at increased risk of post natal depression. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Look after and take time for yourself.