A christening is just the beginning of this and so much more.

Over the years to come, it’s a journey you’ll share together with your child by:

• Being there for your child to talk to about the bigger questions of life – questions about hope, faith and love.
• Praying for your child through the ups and downs of their faith journey.
• Showing them practically how to make those good choices in life.
• Helping them to learn more about their Christian faith, through their church and in other ways.

So it’s a commitment to start as you mean to go on.

Adult Baptism

Whenever it happens, whether as a baby, child or adult, baptism is at the heart of an amazing journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. You are never too old to take this step, and being baptised as an adult is a wonderful experience.

You may have been baptized at a christening when you were a child or in a different Christian tradition, and there are always special ways to renew the promises that were made then in a fresh way as you discover more about what it means to live them out in your life.

More Information

Contact Rev Sue : Email: RevSueFaulkner@aol.com : Tel: 01327 858018 or 07786265422 

A Church of England funeral can be held in a place that you choose – whether at St. James church, a crematorium or a green burial ground.

It can also include unique details, whether that is what people wear, the music that is played, readings that are chosen or simply a photograph at the front. Talk to the Rev Sue about the person you want to give thanks for and the life you want to celebrate. They will help you work out what is possible.

The prayers at a funeral can also reflect a unique life. They could include prayers for work or a hobby that has been important, for those who have cared during a final illness and for family members by name. They can be led by the vicar or by someone amongst family or friends who is at ease leading prayers in public.

“God our Father, we thank you for the person we knew, the years we shared, the good we saw, and the love we received.” (Extract from a prayer used at a Church of England funeral service)

More Information

Contact Rev Sue : Email: RevSueFaulkner@aol.com : Tel: 01327 858018 or 07786265422

Marrying in church is personal, meaningful and spiritual just as you want it to be. Churches are special and unique places to get married in - the prayers, promises and the whole service of celebration become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond.

• A church wedding will add a spiritual dimension to your marriage. The ceremony includes God and looks to him for help and guidance. God’s blessing is the main attraction for many couples, whatever their beliefs.
• You can make amazing vows, or promises, in a church. You can only make vows this big in a church. These vows, made in public, will help you to stay together and grow together. God and your church are there for you to help you keep your vows.
• The Vicar has a very particular role to play in your wedding. They can blend ancient tradition and modern experience to reflect your story. Because of the relationship with the Vicar, your wedding can be made personal, memorable, meaningful and beautiful.
• Church buildings offer centuries of history. Imagine all the couples who have married in your local church, some of whom may well be your family. You can feel you’re becoming part of history itself, the bigger plan, by marrying in the same place as your relatives. We know these sorts of connections can make your day even more special.
• You can be involved in making choices about your ceremony. You can even use our online ceremony planner to get you started.
• For some people, a church simply seems like the proper place to get married. Churches can be described as ‘peaceful’, ‘serene’, or having an atmosphere that makes marrying there a particularly special experience.
• And after your wedding, you’ll realise that a church is more than simply a wedding venue. We’ll always be here for you.

In marriage you take on a whole new legal status. The vicar knows how to advise and prepare you for your wedding day and everything must comply with all relevant UK and Church of England laws. These are the main legal points to consider before you begin planning:-

• You must be old enough - If you are under 18 years old you will need your parents’ consent to marry and by law you can not be married in the UK until you are 16.
• Same-sex marriage legislation - It is not legally possible for same-sex couples to marry in the Church of England.
• Marrying away from where you live - It’s possible to get married in a church that’s away from where you live if you have a certain kind of connection with it. You may be legally      connected to a number of churches in different ways. Read more about this.
• Time of wedding - The wedding must take place between 8am and 6pm on any day.

Because getting married gives you a whole new legal status with many benefits, there are considerations for the vicar to make in both UK civil and church law. There are some basic requirements but there could be complications if:-

• One or both of you is a national from a country that is outside the European Economic Area. Special procedures apply to the legal preparations for these marriages, to protect and celebrate those which are genuine and to help prevent those which are not.
• If one or both of you has been married before. There may well be a way forward for you to be re-married in church but the vicar has certain considerations in these circumstances. 

More Information

Contact Rev Sue : Email: RevSueFaulkner@aol.com : Tel: 01327 858018 or 07786265422