Being a God Parent-not Sure What to Do!

I am a godparent and I never attended a class. There was a ceremony at the Baptism and the priest just walked us through what to do. He may have advised us before hand what was going to happen.

There is a baptism, where the baby is held and sprinkled w/holy water. Then I had to repeat a holy prayer while holding the baby and the priest laid his hand on his head. I just said whatever the priest said. Then we paraded down the front and when it was the baby's turn, each godparent had to stand before the baby, parents and priest and take vows, promising to keep watch over the baby's physical and spiritual well being. Then I think we all prayed w/the priest, took pictures and we were done! It was a long ceremony but harmless.

There are two answers and it sounds like she chose you for the first.

1) Religious Godparent - they attend the christening and promise to help "guide" the child in whatever chosen religion. Some require a class to make sure you know about said religion.

2) Legal - they die, you get the kid. There's is no class that I know of, and this is usually outlined in their wills. Again, probably not this one as most parents don't want to split up the kids should they die.

All people expect different things from God Parents in their child's life role - sit down and ask your friend what their expectations are for the life of the child if any.

Depends on the family.

In some places, godparent means you help raise the child in the faith. In others, it's that you'll be there if something happens to the parents before the child is an adult. In some it's a little of both.

My sister and BIL are DD's guardians/godparents in part because should anything happen to both DH and I, they will raise her in the same faith community, and that was important to me. I don't expect them to dote on her any more than any other kid but it's comforting to know that they'll be there for her through her life. We'll similarly be there for their son, for the same reasons.

Methodists (at least no our church) don't require a class. That may vary on the church or denomination.

You should talk to the parents about what to do.

I was raised in the Lutheran church and the role of godparent was a formality but a bit of an honor, too, I suppose. Mine took part in the baptism ceremony and gave me a gift on my birthday until I was 13, that's all.

In our church the god parents promise to pray for the child and his/her parents, and to support the parents in their upbringing, by encouraging a relationship with God.

For many, it means nothing, and for others, it means giving the child more gifts! we joke in my family that I got the good god parents, because they still give me gifts every year for my birthday, and my sister's have never done anything at all.

i would love to be a god parent, but i am not. sadly, my sister has chosen not to baptize her kids. i still hope a friend will choose me for this honor. here is what i would do if i was chosen:
pray for the child and his/her parents regularly.
remember the day of his/her baptism each year, and send a card or gift such as an age appropriate Bible or Christian book, video, etc.
send a card to the parents each year prior to the baptism date, reminding them to burn the candle typically given to them to remember the baptism and to recognize the day.
If i lived close by, i would be able to do more in person. for me, i would take if very seriously for the purpose intended, to encourage and help nurture the child's faith.

It depends on if your friend wants you to be a Godparent in the traditional/truest meaning...helping raise their child in their faith or if she wants you to be a guardian if something happens to her. Ask.

Updated

It depends on if your friend wants you to be a Godparent in the traditional/truest meaning...helping raise their child in their faith or if she wants you to be a guardian if something happens to her. Ask.

yep, you need to be a practicing catholic. you will do a class (2-3 meeting). its a committment. my son's godparents take their role very seriously. every birthday/xmas they do what they can, like a savings bond.

well, that is all my kids God parents have done-other than just be a part of their life.

Ask her what she sees as your role. Maybe you are the guardian if something were to happen to the parents???

I know that other poster have said that being a god parent means one of two things, but it doesn't. Being a god parent is a religious honor only. You are to help the parents in the child's religious upbringing.

The person the child goes to in the event something happens to the parents is the Legal Guardian. There's a big difference. These can of course be the same person, but being one doesn't automatically make you the other.

It is definitely an honor to be asked, but doesn't really require a lot on your part once the child is baptized. As you mentioned, you will do the class and attend the ceremony. You should buy a gift, like a rosary (if Catholic), necklace, money, or book (I love the baby bible books). Beyond that, not much to do. If you were really on top of things, you could mark your calendar and send a card on the anniversary of the baptism, but really, it's mostly the honor of being there at the ceremony.

my husband and i are god parents to my nephew. we were at his catholic baptism/god parent ceremony. we send him gifts on holidays and we will help raise him as his parents wishes. we will also take care of him if anything happened to my brother and his wife (if that was what is wanted). but i agree with other posters saying to just ask your friends what they want you to do as a god parent :)