BAPTISM (Christening)
Christening (also called Baptism) is a service of welcome into the Christian family. We are very happy to christen children or adults at St Mary’s church if they live in the parish or are on the church electoral roll. Christenings can take please either during our main morning service or at another time. On Sundays at 12 Noon tends to be a good time in order for friends and family travelling a distance to attend.Church of England information on Christenings
GETTING MARRIED AT ST MARY’S
We will be delighted to conduct your marriage here at St Mary’s church. You can get married here if at least one of you lives in the parish or are on the church electoral roll or have a “qualifying connection” with the church, which covers a wide range of circumstances. Most people can get married at St Mary’s church.
We will marry those who
have been divorced, under some circumstances, but we will need to meet with you
to talk about it first. We are also
happy to help you renew your vows, for example at a significant
anniversary.
At the moment, we can’t legally marry same-sex couples, however, we can offer pastoral support in respect of your marriage/civil partnership in accordance with the Church of England House of Bishops’ 2014 guidance (para 18).
Church of England information on church weddings
FUNERAL AND BURIAL OR INTERMENT OF ASHES
We are always happy to conduct funeral services either in church or at a crematorium or cemetery, whether the burial is to happen at Storrington or not, and will work with you to put the funeral together as you want it.
Those who live in the parochial parish at the time of their death or who are on the church electoral roll are entitled to burial in the Storrington churchyard. Because the churchyard is short of space, we cannot allow burial of those outside the parish. The same applies to the internment of ashes.
Check this website www.achurchnearyou.com to see if you live in the parochial parish of Storrington, simply enter in your postcode (N.B. Not all of what is thought of as Storrington is in our parochial parish!).
Please contact us to discuss your plans.
Church of England Guidance for Funerals
CARING FOR A GRAVE IN STORRINGTON CHURCHYARD
There are strict rules for for caring for graves in any parish churchyard, the Storrington Churchyard is no exception. These rules are made by the Diocese of Chichester, which has authority over all the parish churches in this area. Details of these rules - the "Churchyard Regulations Issue 5 2020" can be found here - Link There is also a copy in the church on the notice board in a plastic sleeve.