Thanksgiving service for Oliver

Today Oliver went to church. He has already been once, for Isabella's christening, but today was his first trip to a regular service.

It was the monthly Family Service at St John the Baptist church in Heaton Mersey where Oliver is to be christened. The church asked us to attend a thanksgiving service for Oliver's life as a precursor to the christening itself. Somewhat to our surprise, this involved us going to the front of the church to say vows to bring Oliver up as a christian. It was a bit like a mini-Christening but without the font or any friends or family there.

Oliver slept through much of the service and indeed slept on in Hayley's arms throughout our little ceremony with the vicar (who was actually Gavin, the curate at St John's who will also do the christening itself.) When he was awake he was very quiet and content, gazing up at the stained glass windows. A model member of the congregation.