Churches across the diocese baptised new people into the faith on Easter Day.
Easter is a traditional time for baptism with the focus on renewal and new life, following Jesus’ resurrection. All Saints, Worcester, Top Church in Dudley, St Stephen’s Church in Redditch and St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth, Evesham were among those baptising individuals during their Easter services.
St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth, Evesham baptised parents Chris and Tore, who originally approached the church about getting their ten-month-old son Teddy baptised.
Vicar, Andy Smith said:
“At my first meeting with Chris and Tore, it became clear that since they became parents and brought new life into the world, they have been wondering what their son will believe and discussing what they’re going to teach him.
We talked about the fact that they themselves weren’t baptised and I offered to meet with Chris and Tore a few more times to answer their questions. Chris told me he’d just started reading the family bible. We invited the family to our informal 11am service to enable us to fulfil our promise as a church to support their journey and they have now been members of our church for around seven months.
“Teddy was baptised in November and Chris and Tore have now taken this final step themselves. It’s been great to bring the whole family into the fold.”
St Stephen’s Church in Redditch baptised seven adults on Easter Sunday, four men, two women and one young person. They had all individually chosen to make this commitment for a variety of different reasons. Three of them had come to faith after taking part in Alpha courses. One new church member had returned to faith as an adult. Two others have turned their lives around recently and another found faith after feeling God and the church helped them during a difficult period of life.
Renewal leader Fraser Oates said: “It’s the Spirit that’s moving. We’re just giving thanks!”
At Top Church in Dudley, four people were baptised this Easter Sunday: Clare, Hannah, Andi and Reza.
Andi, who encountered God through a chance meeting with a Top Church curate between COVID lockdowns, said: "After what seemed like a long wait, the time came for me to start the next stage of my faith journey, and as ever God timed it perfectly. The energy was high. God's love was flowing abundantly. I'm so grateful for the path God lay at my feet and how Top Church became not only a destination for worship but also for community, work and life."
Reza, who entered the church not knowing much about Jesus a year ago, said: "Today means I can finally start life new".
Archdeacon Nikki Groarke said:
“It is wonderful to hear of so many baptisms taking place across the Diocese on Easter Sunday, when we celebrate new hope and rebirth! This is just one sign that God is at work in our renewal and resourcing churches as they enable new people from their communities to come to know God’s love and promise and begin their journey of faith.”
Congratulations to all those who were baptised over Easter – welcome to the family!
