Refurbishment and dedication o new altar frontal
See attached document below
What makes a Christian marriage distinctive are vows that couples make, promising a depth of relationship that puts the other’s needs before our own and inviting the love of God to support and uphold a couple in their commitment to one another.Please make contact to complete the initial forms and talk about provisional dates and times. There is rarely any problem about having a service at a date and time to suit you. The priest who will take your service will explain other legal requirements (eg the calling of ‘banns’); and what the Church part of the day will cost (usually a minuscule amount compared with what other plans for the day might involve).The officiating priest will arrange for you to meet with him/her at intervals, to clarify arrangements and to talk some more together about your hopes and expectations for your marriage.Shortly before the Wedding Day, there will be a rehearsal for all those involved in the service, designed to put everyone at ease prepare you to experience fully the deep significance of the ceremony itself.St John's Church is for everyone within the community. We are always glad to receive enquiries from those interested in getting married at St John's. The law allows you to be married here if at least one of you:Is resident in the parishHas been regular in worship over at least six monthsWas baptized or confirmed hereHas ever lived in the parish for six months or moreHas at any time, regularly attended worship here for six months or moreIf one of your parents has lived for six months or more in your lifetime or has regularly attended worshipIf your parents or grandparents were baptized or married hereYou have been granted a special license, issued only through the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Faculty Office. We can provide appropriate information.If you have been married before and divorcedWe will explore with you whether it would be appropriate for you to marry each other in a Christian ceremony. A decision is made based on three areas of enquiry:Whether there is now insight into what caused earlier relationships to founder, and a capacity to ‘be different’Whether continuing responsibilities to children or other dependents are being properly metThese area have to be explored together in confidence before other arrangements can be made.Civil Partnerships and same-sex marriagesThe law does not currently allow for civil partnerships or same-sex marriages to take place in Church of England buildings. However, that doesn't mean we don't want to support you or celebrate with you. Please do get in touch, we are an inclusive church and all are welcome whatever their personal circumstances.For further information and advice see https://www.yourchurchwedding.org/
The Christening (or Baptism) of a child is always a very joyful occasion. You can find out much more about Baptism here.Whilst it is always good to have the opportunity to welcome a child into the church family at the regular Sunday service we appreciate that 9am on a Sunday morning won't work for everyone, especially if family and friends are traveling to join you. We will work with you to find the time that works best in your situation.Please complete the Baptism application form which you can find here.Older children and adults are normally Confirmed following their Baptism as they have made the Baptismal promises for themselves. In this special service the Bishop recognizes the newly Baptized as part of the church family.What is it all about?Asking to have a child christened of baptized (another name for the same occasion) demonstrates that you want God to have a real influence in the child’s life – not just on Christening Day, but for ever. At Baptism, God pours his Spirit into us (demonstrated by the ‘washing’ with water)and we become truly his (symbolized by being ‘signed’ with a cross).So the person being christened becomes Christ’s and a member of Christ’s family, the Church. Being part of the church and sharing in its worship, learning and service over many years means that we grow in understanding about what it means to be a Christian and are strengthened in our witness and service. What we hope for is to be close to God – now and in Heaven, once this earthly life is over.How can I arrange this?Contact the Vicar, The Reverend Helen O’Sullivan (01665 712002) to talk things through in plenty of time in advance. Normally you must live within the parish of Shilbottle, or attend worship here regularly or have had some contact with the church in the past. We will invite you to come and worship with us, invite you and the godparents to a preparation session and have given you options of when the service can take place.A child being christened, usually has godparents – perhaps up to three, but at least one. Godparents have themselves to have been baptised.What happens after the service?We hope that you will continue to bring your children to worship with us and play a full part as members of the Church family.We can baptize people of any age, though by the age of 12 on-wards, we’d expect this to be followed by Confirmation, usually at the same ceremony.For further information about Baptism, see the Church of England’s website – www.churchofengland.christenings.orgWe will do our best to make this a joyful and memorable day for you and your family and friends!
