Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

Baptism

Baptism marks the start of the Christian life. Jesus told his followers to baptise those who had turned away from their old life and had begun a new life as his followers within the family of the church. It is also a sign of God's love for us, what the church calls a Sacrament - an outward and visible sign of God's inward and spiritual grace in and for us.

If you are thinking about what it means to be a Christian, or wish to explore Baptism for yourself or for your child, contact Fr Kevin.

Weddings

We are always pleased to welcome and help couples who wish to get married at All Saints. It is an opportunity for the bride and groom and their families to encounter the love of God. We place a high value on proper preparation before the wedding day in order to help you make the most of your marriage over the years. If one or both of you live within the parish then you may legally marry at All Saints. If this is not the case, then it may still be possible to get married here if you can demonstrate a qualifying connection. Whatever your circumstances, there are legal preliminaries for all couples and we are keen to help you. The Organist and Director of Music is happy to discuss your choice of music and arrange for the robed choir to attend. The flower arrangers can work to your colour scheme.

Although the Church of England teaches that marriage is, ideally, lifelong, we recognise that, sadly, sometimes things do go wrong. We wish to help people make a new start, so if you or your partner have been divorced with a former spouse still living, it may be possible to marry at All Saints in exceptional circumstances, or have a Service of Prayers and Blessing after Civil Marriage.

Whatever your circumstances, to take the first step, contact Fr Kevin who will be very happy to discuss your plans.

Funerals

The loss of a loved one can be very painful. As a church we are well aware of this and the clergy are available to give their time to listen and be with those who are bereaved.

A funeral service is an important way of marking the end of a human life on earth, in which we give thanks to God for the person who has died, commend them to God's love and safe keeping and pray for those who mourn.

Funerals may take place at All Saints, or in a crematorium chapel. They may be quite simple services or great, solemn affairs, be attended by just a few friends and family or take place in a packed church.

There is a very clear framework for Church of England funerals, but there is flexibility and the opportunity for the family to choose readings, hymns and prayers in consultation with the parish priest, so as to ensure that the person who has died is remembered appropriately. We are sensitive to the needs of those who have lost children or for the funerals of those who have died in distressing circumstances.

If the person who has died was a regular communicant, it is sometimes appropriate to celebrate a Funeral Mass or Holy Communion service, which helps us to focus on Jesus' death and resurrection for us and affirms our unity with all who have died in Christ.

Although burials do not presently take place in All Saints Churchyard, the Garden of Remembrance within the churchyard is available for the interment of ashes.

In all cases please do contact Fr Kevin, our Parish Priest who will be glad to help.