Baptisms, weddings and funerals
Baptisms
Baptism is the start of an amazing journey of faith marked by pouring water to symbolise our trust in Jesus to wash us clean.
Adults
Many people make a decision to follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour later in life. Jesus teaches us that when this happens it is right to mark this by being baptised. If you are interested in being baptised please talk to Rachel Tucker davidrachel.tucker@gmail.com
Children
If you want to raise your child(ren) helping them to discover who the Lord Jesus is and why he is so important baptism (sometimes also called christening) is the perfect first step. During the service you will declare your trust in Jesus as well as making a public commitment to help your little one to grow up as part of a church family. To mark this we will pour water over the child, put a sign of the cross on their forehead and give them a candle to remind them that Jesus is the light who will guide them in the best path in life. If you would like your child / children to be baptised (sometimes called Christening) please contact Rachel Tucker davidrachel.tucker@gmail.com
Thanksgiving services
If you would like to thank God for your child and have some Godparents promise to support you as you bring him or her up a thanksgiving service might be just right for you! Unlike a baptism you will not be asked to make any promises about your faith or bring your child up as a member of a church family. If you would like to find out more about this please contact Rachel Tucker davidrachel.tucker@gmail.com
Weddings
A marriage service, wherever it is held, is a public declaration of love and commitment to your partner.
A marriage in church offers you the opportunity to make your declaration before God and offers you the opportunity to explore the Christian understanding of marriage.
For more information about who can legally get married in our church and other useful info about getting married please click here www.yourchurchwedding.org/ If you would like to talk about it further please contact Sarah Leyman sarah@leyman.co.uk
Funerals
A funeral marks the close of a life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world, and to commend the person into God's keeping.
The funeral service of the Church of England can be very short and quiet with only a few members of the family present, or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church.
At St Mary’s we have a team of people who are part of our funeral ministry and seek to support families in preparing and leading an appropriate service at this sad time. Do contact Rod Sparkes if you would like more information about a funeral, memorial service or interring ashes in the churchyard rod@sparkey.org.uk