Weddings and Baptisms
Weddings
We believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a man and woman make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may.
Everyone who lives in St. Martin’s parish and belongs to St. Martin’s may be married here. However, from October 1st 2008 you can also marry in a church that has special significance for you, as well as your own parish church. An example might be the parish where one of you grew up or where a parent of one of you lives.
Persons wishing to be married should be over 18 (16, with parental consent) and not closely related.
The Church of England believes that marriage is for life. But it recognises that, sadly, some marriages do fail. In exceptional circumstances, the Church accepts that a divorced person may marry again.
If you would like to get married at St Martin’s please contact Peter, the vicar.
Baptisms and Thanksgivings
Here at St Martin’s we regularly baptise people of all ages, children and adults, following Jesus’ command that those who believe in him should be baptised.
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with Jesus that continues throughout our life, so it is a very important and serious undertaking. In it we respond to God’s love for us, by saying that we will follow him - we promise to turn away from all darkness and evil, and turn towards Jesus.
We recognise that God the Father loved us so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place and for our wrongdoing. But that wasn’t the end of the story, for we believe that Jesus was raised back to life by the power of God the Father, and that through him we too can experience new life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you are interested in baptism for either yourself or your child, please do come and talk to us. Baptism preparation is usually arranged for those who are being baptised or, in the case of infants, for the Godparents and parents.
If you wish to give thanks for the birth of your baby, a service of Thanksgiving may be appropriate and is readily available.
Please contact Peter, the vicar, to talk about baptism or thanksgiving.
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