Our diocese is blessed with hundreds of miles of coastline meaning that, as well as using fonts, baptistries or pools, many of our churches can also use the sea for baptisms.
This summer, many people made a public declaration of their faith on the beaches in our diocese.
Christ Church St Andrews, Herne Bay
At Christ Church St Andrews, Herne Bay twelve candidates, ranging from a teenager to a woman in her eighties, were baptised by full immersion in the sea.
During the service in August the congregation moved from the William Street church building to the nearby pebble beach to witness Vicar Anthony Everett and Associate Vicar Simon Fellows baptise the candidates.
Each of the twelve was asked, "Is this your faith?" and responded with a resounding “Yes” before being baptised in the waves.
St Alphege Seasalter in Whitstable
Further along the coast in Whitstable, the seaside service held in early September featured three baptisms and four reaffirmations of baptismal promises made in childhood.
Among them was Jean, whose journey to baptism began through a church coffee morning she attended with her late husband. After his passing, Jean’s faith deepened, eventually leading her to this moment. On the beach, she shared:
“I never realised how important this baptism would be for me until I was taken into hospital recently. I feared I might not be well enough to be baptised in the sea as I wanted – to now become reborn in God’s love. Thank God that this happened, and my family are here to celebrate with me, including my wonderful church family.”
Rev Paulette Stubbings, Vicar of St Alphege Seasalter in Whitstable, reflected on the significance of these seaside ceremonies:
“Sea baptisms are fabulous occasions, full of joy and celebration, and one way in which we feel our church is particularly connected to our geographical location and place in the wider community. For candidates, there's something really special about making this faith commitment in such an abundant amount of water. Visually symbolic and dramatic, it's a natural opportunity to share with onlookers and passers-by what's going on and why.”
Holy Trinity, Margate
The congregation of Holy Trinity Church, Margate, gathered on the beach to celebrate the baptisms of thirteen people in the Walpole Bay Sea Pool. The Church said:
"It was an amazing opportunity to be on our local beach, to hear the stories of lives transformed, and to see many young people giving their lives to Jesus Christ.”
The Church also had the chance to celebrate with a church sea swim and party afterwards.
Feeling inspired?
Baptism is a ceremony that marks the beginning of a person’s journey in the Christian faith. It involves making promises to follow Christ and being welcomed into the church community. If you want to explore baptism for yourself or someone you love, visit AChurchNearYou.com to find your local church. Your local vicar will be happy to discuss this call to faith with you.