Baby baptism question

[aprilgail2]

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 might as well just go with the weekday where you won't have a bunch of people there anyway if you are going to ask people to pay for their own meals ! I'm sorry but I can't even imagine saying "please join us for our childs baptisim and come out and celebrate but bring money to pay for your own meal"

 

[englishteacha]

Aprilgail2, that's how things work in our family. I have 7 siblings, all married or in a long-term relationship, and over 20 nieces and nephews, and some of them are married and have children, too. Anything involving a restaurant is pay-your-own way. I can't pay for 40 or 50 dinners at a restaurant, even if it is for something special like my child's baptism. Most family events are pot luck or pay-your-own-way, since "immediate family" is a crowd of 30+ people.

 

[scrapquitler]

I voted OTHER.

In my area, it depends on the family tradition and the church where the baptism is taking place. Some churches do it during regular church service, others do it at a separate time.

We didn't baptize our children at all. My MIL seems to think we are going to hell because of it. Never mind that I've never seen her go into a church except for a funeral or a wedding (and DH says she used to drop him off for Sunday School and never even go in )

 

[RachaelA]

Aprilgail2, that's how things work in our family. I have 7 siblings, all married or in a long-term relationship, and over 20 nieces and nephews, and some of them are married and have children, too. Anything involving a restaurant is pay-your-own way. I can't pay for 40 or 50 dinners at a restaurant, even if it is for something special like my child's baptism. Most family events are pot luck or pay-your-own-way, since "immediate family" is a crowd of 30+ people.

I think its extremely rude to invite someone to a party where they will most likely bring a gift and ask them to pay for their own meal. I come from a HUGE family. Heads would roll if someone expected everyone to pay for their own meal. Its one thing if an aunt or a cousin offers to bring a salad or pie or something, but to expect people to pay for their meal at a restaurant DD's baptism is next month. We're having 50 people back to our house afterwards and that is leaving people out. I'm sure my grandma will bring dessert. DH and I will pay for everything else because we are hosting the party.

 

[disneychrista]

Since you can't afford to pay for a party would make the decision on how to handle it pretty easy. Option C on your poll. Have the baptism, on a date that works best for you and the godparents. Skip the party.

Often times were feel we "have to" do something because it is expected of us, instead of it being somthing that we want to do or feel is right.

When my daughters were baptised family came to the ceremony, a couple even brought gifts, but there was no party afterward.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

When I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church my parents and I attended, I believe it was my parents, grandparents, and uncle. I don't know if there was a party afterwards.

When I was baptized again as an adult in an American Baptist church, it was during a regular Sunday service. We invited my parents to the Sunday service and then had lunch together at home.

For our daughter's baptism when she was 14, my wife's sister and her family came to service and we all went to Carraba's afterwards for lunch.

 

[kim929]

I put lots of people at the baptism because between my dh and myself we have a lot of brothers and sisters so it's a large crowd. Everyone was told when and where it was they could go to church if they wanted then a big party followed ..... Any excuse to get the family together...

 

[ronandannette]

Voting Other. In our denomination infants are "dedicated" and water baptism occurs at some point later in a person's life at their own initiative. Baby dedications generally happen as a "one-off", shortly after the wee one comes home, and baptisms are done as a group. Both occur as part of a regular Sunday service and will include our entire faith community as well as any guests the families invite. Both are VERY happy and solemn occasions, and in most cases there will be a public reception/celebration after a baptism in our church hall. Baby dedications, not so much, but it could happen if the family organized it themselves.

P.S. No godparents. The entire congregation is charged with the responsibility of supporting a baptismal candidate in their faith life.