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Please see below for details on:
Weddings and Blessings
St. Mary’s is a beautiful place for a wedding, and we welcome those who wish to be married or have their marriage blessed. Until recently, to be married in the Church of England, at least one of the couple had to live in the parish or attend the church in question, as demonstrated by being on the church’s electoral roll. These rules have recently been somewhat relaxed. For details see www.marryinchurch.org.uk.
It is now quite often possible to marry those where one or more partners has been divorced. The Church of England has specific criteria for this, and couples are expected to meet the vicar and a member of the leadership team to see whether these criteria are met.
We are also pleased to help couples celebrate significant milestones in their marriage and to hold Services of Blessing for those whose marriage did not involve a service in church.
For further information contact the Vicar, John Clarke.
Baptisms and Thanksgivings
Baptism (or christening) is the ceremony Jesus instructed us to undergo on joining the church. It may be for individuals of any age – babies, children and adults.
The baptism service involves making promises of commitment. In the case of babies and children these promises are said on their behalf by parents and godparents. Adults getting baptised and the parents of babies and children are expected to receive some preparation or teaching, usually an Alpha Course, which sometimes takes place after the baptism.
Adult baptisms take place during a main service, at 9.00am or at 10.30am on the first or third Sunday in the month, and can be by a sprinkling of water or full immersion (pouring of water). Infant baptisms can be during a main service or at other times, normally Sunday at 3.00pm.
Baptisms are normally carried out at the church you attend, or in the parish where you live or have a strong link.
For parents who would like a ceremony to mark the birth of a baby, but do not feel ready to say the promises of baptism, there is a Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. Baptism can always take place at a later date. These can take place during a main service or on Sundays at 3.00pm.
For further information contact the Vicar, John Clarke.
Confirmations
Traditionally Confirmation was the service when those who had been baptised as babies confirmed (or ‘went firm on’) the promises made on their behalf at baptism. This was usually done in teenage years. Nowadays, in addition, many are confirmed as adults after finding a faith in Christ or renewing their faith later in life.
Confirmation is carried out by the Bishop, and St. Mary’s usually takes part in the service held each summer at St. Nicolas, Newbury.
In the case of young people at St. Mary’s, confirmation usually takes place at age 15 or over. Below that age children and young people can receive a certificate to admit them to communion before confirmation (see Admission to Communion).
For further information contact the Vicar, John Clarke.
Admission to Communion
Traditionally members of the church of England did not receive communion until they had been confirmed, but this has changed in recent years. At St.Mary’s all adults who are committed Christians are welcome to receive communion, though they are encouraged to be confirmed if they see themselves as members of the Church of England, and should be baptised.
Children and young people of any age who wish to receive communion, with parents’ agreement, are invited to attend a short course preparing them to receive communion. Where appropriate they will then be admitted to communion and will receive a certificate.
For further information contact the Vicar, John Clarke.
Funerals
St. Mary’s church is used regularly for funeral services, and the churchyard is still open for burials – though for reasons of space full burials have to be limited to those who live in the parish or have a significant link with the church.
The clergy are available for funeral services at the cemetery or crematorium as well as in St. Mary’s.
Normally initial arrangements are made with the funeral directors who then contact the church. One of the clergy will then visit to help plan the service and give whatever help they can. St. Mary’s has a trained bereavement counsellor who is willing to give support during the difficult period of bereavement.
For further information contact the Vicar, John Clarke.
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