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BAPTISM ("Christening")
Many parents want to have their children baptised as babies or young children although others prefer the child to "make up their own mind" later in life. Our parish churches are always happy to welcome new members through baptism, as either children or adults.
1. Baptism is usually conducted during a service of public worship on Sunday morning in a parish church of your choice.
In this way your family can be welcomed by the people of the church as a whole. However, if this is not possible, alternative times and days can be arranged. However, if possible, the “new member” is asked to come to a public worship service the following Sunday if at all possible so that they can be welcomed by the church congregation.There are costs involved, depending on whether the baptism is part of a set church service or is done as a separate ceremony.
Standard cost - *Baptism certificate £18.00
2. In special circumstances baptism can be conducted as a separate ceremony.
However, if not part of a normal Sunday service then you will be asked to pay although some fees (*) may not be applicable:
Verger and cleaning £50
*Heating (if applicable) £25
*Organ and organist £50
Video rights within the church can be arranged on an individual basis.
It is best to contact a member of the clergy, as soon as possible, once you have decided on Baptism, as various details need to be sorted out before the Baptism ceremony. The parent(s) are expected to have meetings with the clergy member who is going to do the baptism. This is so that all aspects of the ceremony and its meaning can be discussed and sorted out well before the actual ceremony.
WEDDING
Many couples want to have a church wedding to mark such as special day at the start ther new life together. You will be giving promises to each other in front of your family and friends and, just as importantly, before God. It is a good idea to contact a member of the clergy team as soon as you have decided that you would like to be married here. This means there is plenty of time to sort out possible dates and to put in place all the arrangements needed. Even if one of you (or both) live in the Churn Valley Benefice or you have a close connection with one of the nine parishes or churches - or if neither of you presently has a connection - you do need to talk to a member of the clergy as soon as possible. This is because there are both UK legal and CofE regulations which must be followed for your wedding in church to happen and the clergy can advise you on what needs to be done. Getting married in church does involve costs – some you have to pay, others are up to you. A member of the clergy team will go through this with you at an initial meeting.
FUNERAL, THANKSGIVING, MEMORIAL AND BURIAL OF ASHES
Most of the preparation will be done through a funeral director chosen by the family. The undertaker has details of the uptodate costs involved with the different types of services. They will also liaise with the Benefice Administrator on burials and headstones, including the burial of ashes and memorial plaques, if this is to be in the churchyard rather than at a crematorium.
The funeral service can be held at the parish church, a crematorium or other suitable venues. If it is at a crematorium or another venue, with just close family, this can be followed immediately by a Service of Thanksgiving at the church for a wider congregation. Memorial services are usually held a while after a funeral so that people who were not able to attend the funeral or Service of Thanksgiving can celebrate the life of the deceased. If the deceased's remains are to be cremated, the burial of the ashes can be led by a member of the clergy with a brief Christian ceremony. This can be at the church or at the crematorium, depending on where the ashes are buried.
The clergy team in Churn Valley Benefice will liaise closely with the family of the deceased once the date, venue and service format(s) have been decided by the family and their undertaker. They will discuss the service(s) with the family and what they would like to be included in the service(s) chosen.
The parish church may ask for contact details of the next of kin so you can be invited to a special service held annually for people to remember loved ones. All nine churches also provide bereavement support within the church community.