Non-Denominational Baptisms are performed as a welcoming or cleansing ritual, practiced traditionally by Lutherans and Catholics in infancy and also in other sects of Christianity in older children, teenagers and adults. This is for parents who wish to have a baptism that is traditional in nature but choose to alter the significance or other aspects of the ceremony and have it performed outside of a church. Parents of different faiths or those that worship God without religion and wish to acknowledge the Spiritual Birth into the Kingdom of God/Universe/Creator or Purify the child or wash away thoughts of materiality or want to welcome the new baby with the ceremonies common to the parents' faith in a place besides a church prefer Baptisms (also called Christenings).
Sample Baptism Ceremony
Adapted from - Rev. Michael Scarlett
Ceremony begins with the Godmother holding the Child
"Dearly beloved, we are honored with the privilege of being present here today to witness and
support in faith the christening of baby ; the son/daughter of parent and parent born into this world on
date .
You have been invited here as family and friends and request your prayers and spiritual support
in baby 's life. It has been said that in a Christening, Heaven comes down and surrounds the
child with God's love for which the effect is lifelong. We join our thoughts and sincere
goodwill, asking that peace might embrace this family and an arc of God's light
surround baby for all of his/her days.
It is written:
'Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not; for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.'
We are instructed that all should come to faith with the eyes and heart of a child.
Today, we dedicate baby to Our God in this Christening. By grace of faith we are
forgiven and assured eternal life.
There are two things, which we should strive in heart and mind to obey.
Both are of Love. To love God with all our hearts, and to love others as we would have others
love us."
~ Charge to Parents ~
" parent and parent , will you teach baby the truth that from this moment he may realize his
unity with God and faith? Will you try to conduct your own life so that by both word and
example, baby may learn to live joyously and harmoniously with good principles and the
assurance of our heavenly father - will you strive to do this to the best of your ability?"
parents: "We Will."
~ Charge to Godparents ~
" godparent and godparent , as Godparents to baby , God will give you the wisdom and ability to
hold within your heart forever his/her spiritual welfare. You are charged with the responsibility of
seeing to the spiritual growth of this child should the need arise and it is you who stands as
spiritual counselors. Do you accept this duty and charge?"
Godparents: "We do."
"Do you promise to love, honor,
support and encourage baby throughout his/her life?"
Godparents: "We do."
~ Christening of Name ~
"What name have you chosen for this child?"
Parents: " baby "
"So be it. We christen you baby in the name of God. Amen. I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of
our creator, your eternal source of faith. May you come to know God within your heart all the days of
your life and express your highest potential..
~ Baptism ~
"I baptize you baby in the name of the Father;
In the name of the Son;
and in the name of the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Mother, then Father, then Godmother and Godfather make the sign of the cross on Child’s
forehead, repeating:
"In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."
Celebrant continues
"Let us pray.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secret is
kept, we place ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Grant us and this child now
dedicated to you, our Creator and Heavenly Father, a clear understanding of the duties and
obligations we now assume.
We pray for the care and protection of baby in body and soul. We surrender him/her to your hands.
Please, Dear Heavenly Father, bind your angels to bless and attend him/her always. May his/her heart
grow strong, may he/she love patiently, and may he/she do what is good and holy in your eyes. This we
pray in the name of God. Amen.
baby , as a child of the covenant, receive this blessing. In Baptism you are sealed by the Holy
Spirit and marked as God's own forever and ever. Amen."
~ Anointing of Oil ~
"Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testament, anointing with oil was an act in recognition of
wealth, prominence, inheritance and position. Yet in the anointing of Jesus before his death on
the cross, we were shown the true measure of possession, inheritance and wealth is not found
by worldly measures.
baby , having now been dedicated into the Kingdom of God, Your family and I will now anoint
thee with all the wealth you now possess as one in the Kingdom of God - the power and
majesty of our God; his unlimited love, and the spiritual wisdom and assurance of the Spirit;
and of your great inheritance - life everlasting in the paradise of heaven - of perfect peace, harmony and joy.
No man or woman could possess more than this.
Celebrant anoints Child’s chest
"In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."
~ Candle Ceremony ~
"In Christian worship traditionally, the lighting of candles has many spiritual meanings. The
light of candle represents the light of a person's life. The flame represents the eternal truth of
God. The light shining forth represents God's truth shining forth upon the world. For believers
to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith; and traditionally
represents the unity of the individual believers with the body of believers of their faith,
both in this world and in heaven.
I ask each Godparent and each parent to take one of the candles and light this candle. Then,
together, light the center candle for baby , as the light of his/her life.
(Parents and Godparents light their tapers then together they light the center candle)
I ask that at the conclusion of this service, each of you keep your candle for this reason:
Should there be a time in baby ’s future for which he/she faces difficult times of trial, or be called
upon to make grave decisions - of hardship or joy, or become lost in spirit - you should, as the
duty and obligation you have assumed today - find a quiet place alone to yourself. Light this
candle or another and through prayer ask for the safekeeping of baby in both body and soul from
our Heavenly Father.
(Optional Reading)
Matthew 28:19, 20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
baby , from this day onward, no matter how dark the world may seem nor how alone and lost
you may feel, you shall never be alone again, never without hope or assurance of the presence of God.
God will Bless you and Keep you;
make his light shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
Lift his Countenance unto you and give you peace.Amen."
Adapted from - Rev. Michael Scarlett
Ceremony begins with the Godmother holding the Child
"Dearly beloved, we are honored with the privilege of being present here today to witness and
support in faith the christening of baby ; the son/daughter of parent and parent born into this world on
date .
You have been invited here as family and friends and request your prayers and spiritual support
in baby 's life. It has been said that in a Christening, Heaven comes down and surrounds the
child with God's love for which the effect is lifelong. We join our thoughts and sincere
goodwill, asking that peace might embrace this family and an arc of God's light
surround baby for all of his/her days.
It is written:
'Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not; for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.'
We are instructed that all should come to faith with the eyes and heart of a child.
Today, we dedicate baby to Our God in this Christening. By grace of faith we are
forgiven and assured eternal life.
There are two things, which we should strive in heart and mind to obey.
Both are of Love. To love God with all our hearts, and to love others as we would have others
love us."
~ Charge to Parents ~
" parent and parent , will you teach baby the truth that from this moment he may realize his
unity with God and faith? Will you try to conduct your own life so that by both word and
example, baby may learn to live joyously and harmoniously with good principles and the
assurance of our heavenly father - will you strive to do this to the best of your ability?"
parents: "We Will."
~ Charge to Godparents ~
" godparent and godparent , as Godparents to baby , God will give you the wisdom and ability to
hold within your heart forever his/her spiritual welfare. You are charged with the responsibility of
seeing to the spiritual growth of this child should the need arise and it is you who stands as
spiritual counselors. Do you accept this duty and charge?"
Godparents: "We do."
"Do you promise to love, honor,
support and encourage baby throughout his/her life?"
Godparents: "We do."
~ Christening of Name ~
"What name have you chosen for this child?"
Parents: " baby "
"So be it. We christen you baby in the name of God. Amen. I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of
our creator, your eternal source of faith. May you come to know God within your heart all the days of
your life and express your highest potential..
~ Baptism ~
"I baptize you baby in the name of the Father;
In the name of the Son;
and in the name of the Holy Spirit;
Amen.
Mother, then Father, then Godmother and Godfather make the sign of the cross on Child’s
forehead, repeating:
"In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."
Celebrant continues
"Let us pray.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secret is
kept, we place ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Grant us and this child now
dedicated to you, our Creator and Heavenly Father, a clear understanding of the duties and
obligations we now assume.
We pray for the care and protection of baby in body and soul. We surrender him/her to your hands.
Please, Dear Heavenly Father, bind your angels to bless and attend him/her always. May his/her heart
grow strong, may he/she love patiently, and may he/she do what is good and holy in your eyes. This we
pray in the name of God. Amen.
baby , as a child of the covenant, receive this blessing. In Baptism you are sealed by the Holy
Spirit and marked as God's own forever and ever. Amen."
~ Anointing of Oil ~
"Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testament, anointing with oil was an act in recognition of
wealth, prominence, inheritance and position. Yet in the anointing of Jesus before his death on
the cross, we were shown the true measure of possession, inheritance and wealth is not found
by worldly measures.
baby , having now been dedicated into the Kingdom of God, Your family and I will now anoint
thee with all the wealth you now possess as one in the Kingdom of God - the power and
majesty of our God; his unlimited love, and the spiritual wisdom and assurance of the Spirit;
and of your great inheritance - life everlasting in the paradise of heaven - of perfect peace, harmony and joy.
No man or woman could possess more than this.
Celebrant anoints Child’s chest
"In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."
~ Candle Ceremony ~
"In Christian worship traditionally, the lighting of candles has many spiritual meanings. The
light of candle represents the light of a person's life. The flame represents the eternal truth of
God. The light shining forth represents God's truth shining forth upon the world. For believers
to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith; and traditionally
represents the unity of the individual believers with the body of believers of their faith,
both in this world and in heaven.
I ask each Godparent and each parent to take one of the candles and light this candle. Then,
together, light the center candle for baby , as the light of his/her life.
(Parents and Godparents light their tapers then together they light the center candle)
I ask that at the conclusion of this service, each of you keep your candle for this reason:
Should there be a time in baby ’s future for which he/she faces difficult times of trial, or be called
upon to make grave decisions - of hardship or joy, or become lost in spirit - you should, as the
duty and obligation you have assumed today - find a quiet place alone to yourself. Light this
candle or another and through prayer ask for the safekeeping of baby in both body and soul from
our Heavenly Father.
(Optional Reading)
Matthew 28:19, 20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
baby , from this day onward, no matter how dark the world may seem nor how alone and lost
you may feel, you shall never be alone again, never without hope or assurance of the presence of God.
God will Bless you and Keep you;
make his light shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
Lift his Countenance unto you and give you peace.Amen."