We are always delighted when a couple wishes to marry at St Andrew’s. In order to comply with Marriage regulations you will need to be:
- 18 years or over
- Resident in the geographical parish of St Andrews
- Or have a qualifying connection – as follows:
- The bride or groom has been baptised in the parish
- The bride or groom has had their confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish; or has at any time had their usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months or has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
- a Parent of the bride or groom has at any time during that person’s lifetime had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or has habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months or was married in the parish.
If either of you is a divorcee please make an appointment with the clergy before proceeding with further plans.
Should you wish to make an enquiry please contact the Parish Office on (01444) 232337.
Marriage preparation classes are run at various times throughout the year by arrangement. Most weddings take place by the reading of Banns usually at the 10.30 services for three consecutive Sundays 28 days before the date of the wedding and you are warmly invited to attend. We would usually pray for you by name at the same time. A wedding pack containing all the details will be issued after your booking and it is possible to have flowers arranged by the church at a reasonable cost.
It is a great joy for the church community when a family wish to seek Baptism (or Christening) for their child. Baptism is an introduction to God’s family – the church and an act of welcome into the Christian faith.
If you are not already a regular worshipper at St Andrew’s we recommend that you come along to Sunday morning worship a few times to familiarise yourself with the church family and to begin to understand what the Christian faith is all about. Following on from that we suggest that you speak to the clergy or one of the welcomers to let them know that you are interested in pursuing baptism, we will then offer either a visit or sometimes a preparation session at the church and also plan dates with you.
Some issues that are often raised:
- There is no set age by which a child or adult should be baptised.
- You can choose as many or few godparents as you wish. Do bear in mind that their main role is to pray for and support your child and encourage them in the Christian faith. For that reason they should have been baptised themselves and at least one confirmed. If you yourself have not been baptised you may wish to discuss this with the clergy.
- There are sometimes more than one family taking part in the same baptism service.
- There is no charge for a service of baptism. Siblings are very much encouraged to play a role within the baptism service as appropriate.
If you have further questions in the meantime do contact the Parish Office (01444) 232337.
It is our privilege to accompany those who are experiencing a difficult time of loss and we seek to offer as much support as we can at this time of need.
Normally a funeral director will offer those who live in St Andrew’s parish, a service in the church or at one of the nearest crematoriums conducted by the clergy or a licensed reader from the St Andrew’s team. Sometimes a family wishes to hold a service in the church and at the crematorium as well. In each case we seek to meet the family’s requests as far as possible.
The funeral director will liase with the church and a meeting is arranged by the minister with the family to discuss all the details and offer comfort and help.
Families are also remembered in prayer at our services and in our daily prayers at the church.
You may find it helpful to think about the following:
- Any special requests about the funeral made by your loved one
- Any particular hymns/songs they liked or that you feel appropriate
- Any poems/ readings/ tributes or prayers to be spoken in the service
- Whether any children will be present at the service and if they need any special guidance and support before and during the day.
- It is possible to have recorded music should you wish to provide a special song or piece for the church or crematorium.
There is no need to have any answers to the above as we are there to guide you through the service offering as much help as you need.
In November we usually invite families t our annual memorial service to remember and give thanks for lives of those we have loved and lost. This is a very sensitively led service in which there is an opportunity to light a candle of remembrance. Afterwards a light tea is served and there is time to talk if it is helpful.