WEDDINGS
St. George's welcomes enquiries from couples wishing to be married in church, whether they are members of our church or not.
The first step is to contact our minister; as soon as possible. It is important to do this before you book your reception venue to ensure that the date is available.
We would encourage couples to come along to one of our Sunday services to see the church at worship. We would welcome you at our services in church while your plans progress. Those who come and share have found that they are more ‘at home’ on the day itself, and feel part of the church family as they begin their married life together.
If you just want to see what our church is like, you are welcome to come along to any of our Sunday Worship.
United Reformed Churches do not have geographical parish boundaries so you do not have to live within a specific area in order to be married at St. George's. However, you will need to contact your local registrar who will issue the necessary documents for your wedding to go ahead, and they may wish to know why you have chosen St. George’s if you live outside the area.
Once your wedding has been arranged with the minister, we can provide ongoing help and advice about your arrangements such as the legal requirements, music, readings and so on for the service. We are also able to talk about flowers for the church and any other practical needs you may have.
Our aim is to work with you to make your special day a time you will always remember.
BAPTISMS
When a new baby arrives families and friends want to celebrate the miracle of a new life, and so they should. Very often they also wish to bring their new child to church to be baptised - or as it often called "Christened" - and it is right that they should give thanks to God for the gift of a new life. But baptism is very much more than giving thanks and publicly giving baby its name.
So what is baptism? Baptism is the point at which any individual, adult or child, becomes part of the Christian Church, part of the family of God’s people. When an adult is baptised it is a point of declaration of belief and a commitment to a life of faith and service in the church of Jesus Christ. Young children obviously cannot make that commitment so parents take vows before God on their behalf that they will -
"teach their child the faith of the gospel, by prayer and example and that they will bring their child up in the life and faith of the church"
We make these promises to God so that when old enough, and of his/her own free will, their child will confirm the promises made on his/her behalf at baptism and make his/her own commitment of faith. Keeping these promises requires effort on the parents part. It means being a part of the life and worship of a church and bringing the child up as part of that church family. It also brings a commitment from the church to offer the teaching children need and the support the family need as their child grows. Baptism without the promises of parents, and church being kept is largely meaningless.
We encourage the family to choose suitable godparents. Being chosen to be a godparent is always regarded as an honour but it does also carry a responsibility. Godparents take vows in the baptism service "to support the parents in every way that they are able" and that obviously includes helping them to keep the vows that they have made. The choice and number of godparents is yours, but obviously those being given this honour as a matter of preference should have an active Christian faith themselves, and be clear that they too are making solemn promises to God.
Some people feel that they cannot honestly make the vows of baptism, but that does not bar them from bringing their child to church for a blessing and dedication. At this service the child is publicly named and prayers of thanksgiving will be said and God's blessing asked for both child and family. However it is Christ's command that we baptise, and he also said, "suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not..." So we will never refuse anyone genuinely seeking baptism for their children.
Baptisms and Blessings are usually held as part of one of our morning services, so that the church family can welcome you, your immediate family and close friends and those who have agreed to take on the responsibility of being a godparent, to this important day in the life of your child.
Whatever you decide, either baptism or blessing, please contact the minister so that he can set up a suitable time to visit you and arrange a suitable Sunday for the service.
