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Holy Baptism, or “Christening” is the means by which a person of any age enters into membership of the Christian Church. We are happy to baptise children or adults who live within our parish boundaries or who regularly worship at one of our churches. Holy Baptism takes place during the main Sunday service. In most cases you are free to choose a day convenient to yourself and those who would like to be with you. Please contact Fr Gary or Fr Mark to ask for more details. They will be happy to arrange a time to talk and explain everything that is involved. |
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Confirmation, like Holy Baptism, is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. Children in year 6 at our Parish Schools are prepared for Confirmation and many adults are confirmed each year. The Sacrament is administered by a Bishop who will lay his hands on your head and pray the Holy Spirit to confirm your deep relationship with Jesus Christ. He will anoint you with sacred oil. Confirmation happens when you feel sure that the Christian way is the right way for you as an individual. It is the usual gateway to receiving Holy Communion, though younger children may be admitted to Holy Communion after agreement between their parents and the clergy. Each year one of the churches hosts the Confirmation. In 2003 the Confirmation will be at St Saviour’s, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, on Sunday 22nd June at 11 a.m. There is good preparation, either in groups or individually, tailored to suit your needs and timetable. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Fr Gary or Fr Mark.
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| MARRIAGE
We welcome all who wish to celebrate the depth of their love for each other by a public or private service in church. All who live in the boundaries of our parish have a right to be married in church. If only one of you lives within the boundaries of the parish, you still have a right to be married in one of our churches. If one or both of you has been divorced and there is a previous partner still living we hope that we will still be able to offer an appropriate and joyful celebration of your new love. In all these cases, simply contact Fr Gary or Fr Mark for more details. BANNS OF MARRIAGE The law requires that those who are to marry must “have their banns read” for three consecutive weeks within the three months preceding their marriage. This is a simple process. Simply contact Fr Gary or Fr Mark and arrange to complete a Banns Application Form. If one or both of you are resident in one of our parishes you will need to do this even though you may be having your wedding somewhere else. You will need to know the name of the church where you are getting married and your right to be married there (is one of you resident in the other parish or is one of you a member of their church membership roll?). You will also need to pay a fee (currently £25, rising to £27 on the 1st January 2003). When you have completed the form the clergy will suggest three consecutive Sundays when the Banns will be published. This is always during the main service and you are, of course, very welcome to attend. After the third Sunday the clergy will give, or send you a certificate which you will need to show to the priest at the church where you are to be married. |
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| FUNERALS
The death of someone close to us, whether or not a member of our family, is a disturbing and painful time. We want to do all we can to help you not only at the time of the funeral but for however long you require support and friendship. The churches are available for the funerals of anyone living within our parishes or those who have regularly attended our churches. The clergy will take a service either in church or at a crematorium or cemetery. Some people think they have no right to bother the priest if they haven’t been regular churchgoers. Nothing could be more wrong. If you live in our parishes, then it is our privilege to help at times like these. Other people think that a funeral has to be “very religious”. Again, all we want is to help you celebrate a life that was special in the most appropriate way. Please do not hesitate to contact Fr Gary or Fr Mark if you would like help either with a present situation or in planning for the future. |
