Holy Matrimony

ARRANGING A SERVICE OF

HOLY MATRIMONY

If you have recently become engaged – many congratulations!

At some point you will want to consider setting a date for a Service of Holy Matrimony, and the Parish Clergy are here to help you in this parish. So often couples want to see the clergy, especially the priest that will be Solemnising their Union, from the outset, and in this parish we strive to fulfil that desire.

Marriage is a Sacrament of the Church and The Preface to the Marriage Service in the Church of England describes it in this way:

“We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of N and N, to ask his blessing on them, and to share in their joy. Our Lord Jesus Christ was himself a guest at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and through his Spirit he is with us now.

The Scriptures teach us that marriage is a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace, a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love throughout their lives, they shall be united in that love as Christ is united with his Church.

Marriage is given, that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. It is given, that with delight and tenderness they may know each other in love, and, through the joy of their bodily union, may strengthen the union of their hearts and lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children may be born and nurtured in accordance with God’s will, to his praise and glory.

In marriage husband and wife belong to one another, and they begin a new life together in the community. It is a way of life that all should honour; and it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly, or selfishly, but reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought.

This is the way of life, created and hallowed by God, that N and N are now to begin. They will each give their consent to the other; they will join hands and exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will [each] give and receive a ring.

Therefore, on this their wedding day we pray with them, that, strengthened and guided by God, they may fulfil his purpose for the whole of their earthly life together.”

The Parish Clergy are here to help you prepare for what surely must be one of the most important days in any man and woman’s life. If you wish to talk to the clergy about getting Married in Church then the next step on this wonderful journey together is to contact us via the contact form on the Parish website https://parishstonystratfordcalverton.com/contacts/.