What does a Christening entail?

Xaniwoop

In CoE they aren't always conducted as part of a normal service although generally if you belong to that church they are as you are introducing them into the church that you will take them to each week. Often 'outside' christenings are family affairs in the afternoon, although our church is phasing this out due to lack of clergy and a feeling that if you are promising to bring them up in the church you can at least start that in a usual church service.

pinkclouds

Doesn't have to be an in-service christening with the parish congregation! My son is getting christened this Sunday and, like his sister, it will be a private service - just us and our guests. Won't take more than half an hour and then we'll go somewhere else afterwards for a sort of celebration. Gifts are nice but not obligatory. A nice traditional gift would be a book of hymns/prayers or other religious text. As it's your... sort-of grand-nephew, it would be nice to give some token gift (whatever you fancy) or even just a card - to mark the occasion.

If you're not sure what's happening on the day, ask! Christenings are lovely but, tbh, really only important to the child's parents and the godparents. Bit like weddings really. Lovely day, a few nice photos, a few guests... but it'll happen anyway so long as the happy couple turn up with the witnesses.

pinkclouds

jtr2803 wrote: »

My other half seems to think it is at 1pm so I don't see how it fits into a normal service?!

Don't assume. Some of the smaller parishes end up sharing one vicar, who hares around all of them squeezing in services! But it probably is a private service.

scheming_gypsy

Both of the ones i've been dragged to weren't part of a normal sevice; if they were I don't think anybody at all would have attended (even the parents)..... and no, don't ask my why they had their kids Christened if they weren't religious.

melancholly

even if you find the service a bit dull (although they usually are short and sweet!), christenings usually have lots of other small children at them.... who can be very entertaining and not necessarily used to being in church and sitting still and being quiet!!

it's a very short service, which is meant to be about making a religious commitment. a card and some flowers might be nice if there is some kind of gathering afterwards, but i wouldn't go crazy on the gift if you're being dragged somewhere for 20 or 30 mins in a church and nothing else. depending on the denomination, there may be a collection at the church, so having a couple of pounds for that can be useful, although equally you shouldn't feel obliged to give if you don't want to. there will probably be a hymn, but for this they should pick one that lots of people will know (it's quite uncomfortable if no-one sings along!)

it is quite soon though, so some kind of indication by now would be normal?! whether or not they're religious, it's pretty sensible to give guests an idea of how long they'll be there......

gratefulforhelp_2

If you really feel this strongly, OP, why not let a subsequent engagement prevent you from attending?

pimento

jtr2803 wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies, I am certainly relieved to hear I won't have to spend that long in a church.

We have not received any sort of official invitation so I have no idea if there are plans for a continued celebration after the actual ceremony.

If I thought there was any way I could politely decline the invitation then I would but realistically, I am going to have to go and suck it up!

I'm sure they won't want you there with your long face. Tell them you're busy.
Are you like this all the time?

NAR

jtr2803 wrote: »

If I thought there was any way I could politely decline the invitation then I would but realistically, I am going to have to go and suck it up!

Watch God doesn't smite you with a bolt of lightening! :eek:

pimento

I'm wondering if the OP's name is Damian. )

Gloomendoom

I've been to loads of christenings. Some have been friends/relatives in private ceremonies but most have been as part of the normal Sunday service.

I've never found them boring.

OP as has been said, if you are going to go there with a long face, then perhaps it's best if you don't go at all. There's no point in ruining for everybody else. God won't mind.