Baby baptism question

[Minnesota!]

I guess it depends on what you man by "big shindig". Most Baptisms around here seem to be extended family and close friends, so it might be anywhere from 20-50 people.

this is us - we just invite those closest to us and it still makes about 40 people. big by some standards...but pretty regular for any gathering we have.

 

[Talking Hands]

Do not baptize infants. Baptism can be at the church or several times a year we have a beach baptism.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

When I was baptized, it was all my family and relatives.

 

[englishteacha]

Thanks for the input!

Baby will be baptized at the Christian camp where DH and I met, and are volunteers. To us it is our "home church." DH thinks we should have baby baptized at camp on a weekday afternoon (Tuesday, July 3) and whomever can come will come. I'm afraid family will be hurt if we plan baby's baptism for a day when it'll be almost impossible for them to attend. Some folks would be able to, but most everyone is 2+ hours away. (Though, some folks will already be in Maine due to the 4th, and baby's godmother will already be at camp that day, so it would work for her.) As DH said, though, there's no guarantee that they'd be able/willing to come on a weekend day, either, which would have to wait till fall, probably late September or October, working around other events at the camp.

 

[tweedlemom]

We did baptism with family then gathering with the same family members. That alone was 30-40 people.

 

[EMHDad]

Family on both sides and we invite our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Church. They play a part in the baptism by taking their vows and its only right to open our door to them in fellowship and hospitality. Plus, we love them.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

We will be having a 100+ party post church. Although whoever wants to come tot he church is more than welcome.


After waiting for this baby for almost 10 years we are having a party.


Whatever works for your family it is a beautiful day

 

[DawnM]

I am curious what Christian church doesn't ever do baptisms or any other physical rite....do you include communion and baby dedications in that as well?

Dawn

Our religion (christian) doesn't do baptisms or any other other physical rite, so no issue.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Thanks for the input!

Baby will be baptized at the Christian camp where DH and I met, and are volunteers. To us it is our "home church." DH thinks we should have baby baptized at camp on a weekday afternoon (Tuesday, July 3) and whomever can come will come. I'm afraid family will be hurt if we plan baby's baptism for a day when it'll be almost impossible for them to attend. Some folks would be able to, but most everyone is 2+ hours away. (Though, some folks will already be in Maine due to the 4th, and baby's godmother will already be at camp that day, so it would work for her.) As DH said, though, there's no guarantee that they'd be able/willing to come on a weekend day, either, which would have to wait till fall, probably late September or October, working around other events at the camp.

I'm with your DH on this one. I wouldn't wait 3 months to make it more convenient to others. The baptism is first and foremost an event between your child and God, the celebration is secondary.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I say (and did) do it when it works for you and DH. Aside from waiting, Sept and Oct could be chilly if you have to wait til then. (Are you doing the lake or chapel? I sure hope not the lake in Oct, lol.)

 

[Gisele]

My answer was the first choice. It is just a tad bit smaller from that, regarding number of guests.

~~ I love you Phil, and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[aprilgail2]

We will be having a 100+ party post church. Although whoever wants to come tot he church is more than welcome.


After waiting for this baby for almost 10 years we are having a party.


:

Thats pretty much how people around here do it- usually the party is done in a catering hall or a restaurants party room-I can't recall ever being to one at someones house.
Communions are the same way- as soon as they give out the communion date at the local catholic church every catering hall, restaurant party room and wedding venue place is booked for that day! My daughter go so many invites to her friends communions that we had to pick just 2 since one was earlier in the day and one was later we could make them but couldn't possibly make them all!

 

[Ginny Favers]

Everyone I knew had big shindigs for their child's baptism. I didn't, just invited immediate family. Why? Because after having them at an engagement party, a bridal shower, a wedding, a baby shower, and getting presents from them when the child was born, plus knowing a first birthday and Christmas was coming up, I didn't want them to feel forced to buy yet another gift! Plus it was a nice, intimate occassion, and the baby wasn't overwhelmed by so many people.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd think you'd include close friends and family with a nice, casual gathering after.

 

[jen0610]

For both kids, we did immediate family and god parents only at the church and no party for either kid.

 

[englishteacha]

Normally, in our protestant church, baptisms are part of the regular church service on a Sunday morning. Then the family does something with their guests after. Having baby's baptism at camp is throwing my family for a loop! (No one ever dares buck tradition in my family!) If we go for the July date, we can then go to my mom's camp on a lake after with whomever happens to be there (about 45 minutes away), or we can go to dinner somewhere near camp (though it would have to be pay-your-own-way, as we can't afford to treat everyone).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Normally, in our protestant church, baptisms are part of the regular church service on a Sunday morning. Then the family does something with their guests after. Having baby's baptism at camp is throwing my family for a loop! (No one ever dares buck tradition in my family!) If we go for the July date, we can then go to my mom's camp on a lake after with whomever happens to be there (about 45 minutes away), or we can go to dinner somewhere near camp (though it would have to be pay-your-own-way, as we can't afford to treat everyone).

You know since you are bucking tradition already, I would just go with your July 3rd date and deal with the "fallout" with grace and poise.

 

[goofy4tink]

We do baptism here within the regular mass, so the church was full of our church family, plus our home families, who had traveled across the country to attend. Then we had a casual party at our house.

That's what we do as well. And it was the same for dd's 1st Communion as well as her Confirmation a few years ago. We are Episcopalian. Our church family is a very big deal for us...a lot of them are truly vested in my dd. And they will be invited to her high school graduation party as well.
It's not so much of a big deal if people don't want to be at the physical ceremony. Church and it's rites of passage may not be as important to others as they are to us. So, a lot of family didn't go to 1st Communion or Confirmation...but they sure did show up at the after party!!!!!

I would think that July 3 would be a fine day. With many people having the 4th off, perhaps they could also get the preceeding day off as well.....then they can join you for the baptism, and party. What a wonderful idea...Maine is beautiful at this time of year. And baptisms should reflect what each family believes. Go for it. If family/friends choose not to attend, that's their loss.

 

[Tralliam]

Thanks for the input!

Baby will be baptized at the Christian camp where DH and I met, and are volunteers. To us it is our "home church." DH thinks we should have baby baptized at camp on a weekday afternoon (Tuesday, July 3) and whomever can come will come. I'm afraid family will be hurt if we plan baby's baptism for a day when it'll be almost impossible for them to attend. Some folks would be able to, but most everyone is 2+ hours away. (Though, some folks will already be in Maine due to the 4th, and baby's godmother will already be at camp that day, so it would work for her.) As DH said, though, there's no guarantee that they'd be able/willing to come on a weekend day, either, which would have to wait till fall, probably late September or October, working around other events at the camp.

So I think what we all would/have done is beside the point. This is a personal decision. The only ones that have to be there are, the baby, the parents, godparents/sponsors, official performing the sacrament. This is about your baby and his relationship with God, as well as your commitments as parents/godparents.

If you would like to have a gathering of extended family and close friends maybe that is something you could plan for 1 to 2 weeks after the baptism at your normal residence. This would allow you to not put it off longer than you want and introduce the little one to those that are important to you but that don't have to be at the sacrament.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I am curious what Christian church doesn't ever do baptisms or any other physical rite....do you include communion and baby dedications in that as well?

Dawn

Society of Friends . . . no communion either. Not sure what a "baby dedication" means - if it is a ritual, then no.