Life Events
Whether you're getting married, want to find out about baptism, or if you need information about a funeral, you can find more information below.
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Weddings
Getting married? We are delighted you have decided to make this public declaration of love and commitment to one another. If you want to discuss the possibility of having your wedding at either St Michael’s or St Mark’s we would be very happy to talk to you.
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Please note: most weddings we conduct involve those who live in our parish or who have a clear connection to the church and parish.
The usual process is that we meet twice with each couple. The first meeting is to deal with the legal and practical details concerning the wedding day. The second meeting offers an opportunity to look beyond the wedding itself and talk about your married life together. We don’t just want to make your day a special one, but to help you build a happy and healthy marriage, so we offer some tools for reflecting on the commitment you are going to make.
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If you would like to explore getting married at St Michael’s or St Mark’s please contact the Parish Office to arrange an appointment with one of our clergy.
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A reminder of the Christian understanding of marriage… taken from the marriage service
“It is God's purpose that, as a husband and wife give themselves to each other in love, in joyful commitment to the end of their lives, they shall be united in that love, as Christ is united with his church. Marriage is given as the foundation of family life in which children are nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.”
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Baptisms (Christenings)
At St Michael’s and St Mark’s we believe both in the seriousness of baptism and in the importance of encouraging families to take a step towards bringing up their children in the Christian faith. So, below is the approach we take in order to help you think about preparing for a baptism or thanksgiving service.
Our baptism and thanksgiving services take place 3 times a year in March, July and November on the first Sunday of the month. It is important to know that your family may not be the only family having a baptism that week.
Step 1: The first step is to attend our All Age Worship service which takes place on the first Sunday of the month, 9.30am at St Michael’s. This is the service in which baptisms and thanksgivings take place.
Step 2: Once you have been to a service you will then attend our 321: Speak Life course over 4 Monday evenings at St Mark’s Church, Belah, in either February, June, or October. This is an informal time where you will learn more about the Christian faith and you will be able to ask questions and have discussions in a friendly safe space. It’s recommended that you arrange for a babysitter, though small babies will be fine to come. We expect both parents to attend and ideally any potential godparents.
Step 3: Following the course, should you decide to go ahead with either a baptism or thanksgiving, we will book you into the next available service. Due to practicalities, we allow for a maximum of 2 families at each service so you may be asked to wait for a few months. You will also need to complete a permission form and return it to us.
If you live outside the Parish of Stanwix: We encourage parents to look to their local church where possible. We recognise that baptism looks to your future life as a part of the local church. It is occasionally possible for your child to be baptised at St Michael’s but please note that you would need the permission of the vicar in the parish where you live.
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Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or come and speak to a member of the clergy on a Sunday morning.
Funerals
Planning a funeral is a spiritual as well as practical matter. It is a natural time to take stock of one’s own life and prepare for the life we believe is to come for all those who love and trust God.
Death is something many people don’t want to talk about but for a Christian it is a time to consider the hope that comes with trusting in Jesus for life here and now and for eternal life which he offers to all people.
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If you would like to talk to someone about planning a funeral service then please contact the Parish Office.