How to join the Church

You can become part of the Old High St Stephen’s congregation in a number of ways. If you would like to know more about any of this, please contact the Minister (telephone 01463 250 802).

It’s important to be a Church member. As a member you will have an elder who will visit, receive the Church Magazine, and be eligible to take part in decisions about the Church. Members also support the work of the Church through giving of their time, talents and money. Church membership is a symbol of belonging to the Christian community, and that you are committed to follow the way of Jesus Christ. Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the centuries-old ceremony by which someone joins the Church.

In the Church of Scotland, we baptize both children and adults.

The baptism of children is often known as ‘Christening’. If you are a parent who would like to find about baptizing your child, please go to our Baptisms page here.

We also baptize adults if they have not yet been baptized and wish to become adult members of the Church. You would be asked to come along to a ‘Christian Basics’ course, at the end of which you join the Church at a service of Confirmation or Profession of Faith (see below). Profession of Faith or Confirmation

If you are not a member of another Church you can join by Profession of Faith, which is also known as Confirmation.

The Minister runs ‘Christian Basics’ courses, at which you will learn about Christianity and the Church of Scotland. At the end of that time, we have a special service one Sunday in which you will be asked to take vows, you will be prayed for and blessed, and you will be welcomed in the membership of the Church. If you are not already baptized you will be baptized at that service; otherwise, you are simply confirming the faith into which you were previously baptized, perhaps when you were an infant.

Please call the Minister to find out when the next ‘Christian Basics’ course is taking place. Transfer from another Church

Often people join us from another congregation, perhaps because they have recently moved into the area.

If you are a member of another congregation, either in the Church of Scotland or another denomination, you will be able to transfer your membership. Please ask the Minister to arrange this.

If you are transferring from another denomination you will not need to be baptized again.

Adherents

Some people who attend our Church are adherents, which is another way of being associated with the work of the Church. If you are an adherent of another congregation and you start to worship with us, we would like to keep in touch with you- please let us know your details. At Old High St Stephen’s adherents are also given elders and Church magazines, and everyone is welcome to share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Why not join our Christian Basics group? Call 01463 250 802 or email us for more information.