BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES, FUNERALS
We welcome enquiries about special services at each life stage. Please use the contact details below to get in touch about baptisms, marriages and funerals.
BAPTISM
What is Baptism?
Baptism is our entry into the community of the Christian Church. Parents and Godparents make promises on behalf of the child. Water is poured three times over the child's head, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the sign of the cross is made on the forehead as the child is anointed with the Holy Spirit; and a lighted candle is given to the parents to signify the light of Christ and a new light born into the world.
Baptism at St Mary's
Baptism takes place during the Parish Eucharist at 9.30 on a Sunday morning. To have your child baptised you need to live within the parish or be on the church Electoral Roll. To enquire about Baptism please contact the Parish Office on 020 8744 2693. Once a date has been fixed, a lay visitor will visit the parents to discuss the Baptism.
Adult Baptism
Adult Baptism is usually conducted within the sacrament of Confirmation.
MARRIAGE
St Mary’s welcomes couples who wish to be married and hold a wedding at the Church.
Under law a couple may be married in a Church of England church if either of the couple:
has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months; or
was baptised in the parish concerned; or
was prepared for Confirmation in the parish; or
has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months; or
one of the couple’s parents, at any time after their son or daughter was born, has either lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months; or
one of the couple’s parents or grandparents was married in the parish; or
is on the Electoral Role of the parish.
You can check whether you live in our parish by typing your address into A Church Near You.
If you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections or have previously been married and the marriage ended in divorce, please contact the Parish Office on 020 8744 2693 to make an appointment with one of the clergy to discuss the wedding options open to you.
FUNERALS
St Mary's seeks to help the families and friends of those who have died to find an opportunity to join together in grief and in hope to celebrate the life of the one who has died and to commend their soul to God.
Ashes can be laid to rest in the Garden of Remembrance.
Please call Father Jeff and the Parish Office and leave a message with a return phone number to arrange a funeral. For more information contact the Parish Office on 020 8744 2693.
See also the South-West Middlesex Crematorium board's guidelines on their website
or contact them:
SOUTH-WEST MIDDLESEX CREMATORIUM BOARD
Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex. TW18 5JH
Telephone: 0208 894 9001