Christening and baptism for children and adults
Many parents choose to bring their child to church to be christened or baptised. This recognises several important parts of an individual’s life. It is a sign of God’s love for us as part of His creation. Parents bringing their child to be baptised are publicly thanking God for the gift of life. They are also making a decision to help their child start a journey of faith and asking God and the church for support.
For more information about Baptism visit the baptism section of the Church of England website.
If you want to arrange a baptism then you need to contact your local church and discuss arrangements with them. You can find your local church by visiting www.achurchnearyou.com.
Baptism does involve the parents and godparents of the child making certain promises and commitments before God. These commitments involve bringing the young person up as a follower of Jesus. The church has a special service that offers thanks for the gift of the child which is suitable for those who don’t, at this stage, with their child to be baptised.
Baptism as an adult
Baptism is not just for children. Many adults who have not been baptised as children want to make a commitment to God later in their life. The Church of England website contains more details about baptism as an adult and Christian initiation.
Getting confirmed
Baptism is, we hope, the start of the journey that all Christians are on with God. As a persons faith and understanding grows and deepens they may reach a point where they are ready to make a further commitment to God. This will take the form of a confirmation service where the individual publicly affirms their faith and this faith is confirmed by the laying on of hands from a Bishop. For more details about confirmation then visit the Church Of England website.
Weddings
As Christians, we believe that marriage is a gift from God and we think there is no better place to get married than in church. By marrying in church a couple makes their public declaration of their lifelong loving commitment to each other in front of God as well as family and friends.
Being married gives you legal status as husband and wife. We believe that marriage offers an ideal place for the fulfilment of our sexuality and a secure and stable environment to bring up children.
If you’re excited about getting married in a church of England church then you can plan your wedding at www.yourchurchwedding.org.
Funerals
When a loved one dies we all want the opportunity to express our grief and give thanks for a life that has been completed in this world. A Christian funeral also enables people to commend a person into God’s keeping.
The funeral service of the Church of England aims to reflect the personality of the person who has died as well as the circumstances of their death. The service may be very short, quiet and with a few close friends and family. It could be a larger service with music, hymns and a packed church. The words and actions in the service all speak of a God who loves the world and sees every human being as precious.
Arranging a Funeral
We understand that organising a funeral is a very difficult time and that the bereaved want to arrange something that respects the wishes of the person who died. Our clergy regard this as an important part of their work and will try and spend as much time with family and friends. They will offer comfort as well as finding out what service is wanted and helping to arrange the details.
Everyone has the right to a funeral in their parish church, whether they go to that church or not. Our clergy will work to make sure that the funeral makes a fitting end to someone’s life in this world.