Weddings

A wedding day is a moment of profound joy and significance. For that reason many people choose to make their marriage vows before God in church.

St. Stephen’s is a wonderful place in which to be married, but more than just providing a beautiful building, we will also offer ample support to you as you plan and prepare for your special day. The Church of England can also give you lots of helpful advice about a church wedding [click here].

If you live in St. Stephen’s parish (check here) or if you are linked to St. Stephen’s church (check here), we would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your wedding ceremony. Please either come to a Sunday service or contact us to speak to the Vicar.

If you are getting married elsewhere and need to speak to us about having your Banns of marriage read then please contact us.

Baptisms

Baptism for either an adult or a child is a very significant and special moment. At St. Stephen’s we will seek to support and guide you through this milestone of faith.

Often people like to mark the birth of a child with a ceremony in church that expresses their thankfulness before God together with family and friends. We love to welcome families, and as a Church of England church have two services which provide this opportunity, which correspond to what most people mean by ‘Christening’.

Thanksgiving for the birth of a child

A “Thanksgiving for the birth of a child” ceremony is a relaxed and meaningful opportunity for your family to gather together, to thank God for your baby, to pray for him/her and to pray for their parents as they embark on the exciting but demanding task of being parents.

As well as involving all the wider family and friends, the service has provision for particular supporters (like godparents) to commit themselves to your baby’s care and development. The ceremony includes the public naming of the child, the presentation of a Bible and the minister praying for God’s blessing for the baby.

The Thanksgiving service does not involve the parents in making any promises about their own Christian commitment or Church attendance. This is often a good option for families who do not regularly come to church.

If you would like to arrange a thanksgiving at St. Stephen’s then come along to one of our Sunday services and speak to the vicar.

Baptism of a child

When a child is baptised it is a sign that the family want to bring their children up with the Lord Jesus at the centre of family life. As baptism is about commitment to Christ and his Church, it takes place in the Church’s main Sunday service.

If you are a member of the church or live in the parish (check here) and would like to arrange a baptism at St. Stephen’s then come along to one of our Sunday services and speak to the vicar. He will then arrange to meet with you on three occasions to talk through the service and the promises that it requires you to make so that you are confident that you ready to commit to these. After your first meeting with the vicar we will be able to talk about dates that work well for you as a family and also for us as a church family. It is best not to book godparents and grandparents for a particular date until after that meeting.

If you are not already regular members of the Church family, we ask that you come along for a number of Sundays over at least a three month period. This will give you a chance to meet the church congregation who will, in the baptism service itself, promise to support you in your walk with Jesus over the coming years.

Baptism for an adult

Baptism is an outward sign of inward repentance of sins and turning to Christ. When an adult believer is baptised they publicly state their belief in Jesus as the one who washes us clean from sin and they commit to live with Jesus as their Lord. If you have been baptised previously, maybe as a baby, and would like to reaffirm the promises made at your baptism there is also a service for this. Both services involve making big promises so we would want to get to know you well and support you properly as you prepare for these services.

As well as our font, we also have a baptism pool where older children or adults may choose to be baptised.