Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
We believe it is a great privilege to be a part of the significant events in people’s lives and offer stability and support in times of joy and sorrow. Rev Philip Benson welcomes requests to conduct baptism, wedding, and funeral services, so please do get in touch with him to discuss further.
Baptisms
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives - the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provide an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘immersion’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus’ own baptism. And as a sign of that new life, a lighted candle is given, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives. As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.
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You can be baptised as an infant or an adult. Many parents choose to baptise their children in a service that is sometimes called a ‘Christening’ to celebrate the new life of their child and commit to raising the child in the Christian faith. Because baptism is about welcoming you or your child into the family of the Church it is far better if the family of the Church is present. For this reason, baptism is normally celebrated in the context of our Sunday services.
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If you are interested in being baptised, or having a child baptised, please contact Rev Philip Benson.
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Some parents may not wish to make the commitment of baptism at this stage in a child’s life, so we are also happy to offer a service of thanksgiving following the birth of a child. This service would give you the chance to give thanks to God for your child and pray for their future.
Weddings
We love celebrating the gift of marriage and happily give time, help, and support to enable couples to plan and prepare for their life together as husband and wife. A wedding is one of life's great moments, based upon a solemn, public and life-long commitment, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses. Marriage is intended to be a creative relationship that is life long where husband and wife grow together in love and trust and are united with one another in heart, body and mind. Choosing to get married in church is a wonderful decision, as not only will you have a beautiful venue, but most importantly you will be asking God to bless you in your new lives together.
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If you are interested in getting married in either of our churches, please contact Rev Philip Benson.
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Wedding Blessings - Many couples who have had a civil wedding decide they would like to dedicate their marriage to God in church soon afterwards. A husband and wife can have their marriage blessed in church, whether they got married in the UK or abroad. For couples who marry abroad, it can be a way of ensuring more family and friends can celebrate the marriage if they were unable to travel to another country.
Funerals
The death of a loved one is always a difficult time, and we will want to give you the best support we can. Rev Philip will be happy to talk through planning the service to ensure that it is fitting for your loved one as we commend them to God's mercy and safekeeping. We are always willing to conduct funerals for members of the parish who have died, or for those who had a particular connection with the parish. If you would like Rev Philip to come and pray with someone who is near death, please get in touch. This can be a source of great comfort and strength to those nearing the end of their earthly lives.
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It is our experience that the funeral service can become an occasion of thanksgiving for the life of a loved one and bring comfort, hope, and help to the bereaved. We are happy to arrange a funeral service for families in either of our churches, a funeral home or from a private home.
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If you have been bereaved, we would like to offer support to you and your family in whatever way is appropriate, whether now, or in the future.
Confirmation
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey where those who have been baptised as children or adults make a firm commitment to Christian discipleship. Through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live the life of discipleship.
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Confirmation follows on from baptism. For those baptised as infants, confirmation will come when they want to make the promises made on their behalf at their baptism for themselves – usually in adolescence or beyond. For those seeking baptism as adults, baptism and confirmation will usually happen at the same service. In confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith, equipping us to live as Christians in our daily lives.
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If you are interested in being confirmed, please contact Rev Philip Benson.