Weddings and Baptisms
We are delighted to marry couples and to baptise children and adults. Marriage and baptism are serious commitments involving deep promises which we will want to discuss with you beforehand. We are also happy to discuss any other questions you may have about the Christian faith.
Weddings
Who can get married at St Matthew's?
The law allows us to marry people for whom we have pastoral responsibility,
which basically means those who live in the Parish and those who worship
at the church but live elsewhere. If you're unsure
whether you live within the parish boundaries, contact us and we will be able to
tell you. Only one of you has to live in the parish.
If you live elsewhere you may be eligible to have your name entered on the Church Electoral Roll (its membership list) if you have been coming for at least 6 months.
The other requirements are that you have not been married before (unless you are a widow or widower) and that you are not related.
Sometime within the last 3 months
before your wedding, the Banns will need to be called at the main Sunday morning
service. This is a public announcement that you are to marry, and it is nice if
you are able to come along and hear them. We will tell you nearer the time the
dates on which your banns will be called. You will also need to arrange for the
Banns to be called in the other parish, unless you both live in the same parish.
Banns do not have to be called on the same three Sundays in each Church. A license is not normally
needed if you are being married by Banns (Banns are cheaper and easier).
The minister will go through the finer details of the arrangements with you, and make a date for a ‘rehearsal’ sometime in the last fortnight.
During the service, it is very unlikely that anything will go wrong or that you will make any mistakes. We will give you full instructions as you go along. There is nothing for you to worry about.
When you book your wedding you will need to start thinking about the music. Our
organist is very experienced and will be able to help you with suggestions. It
is usual to have three hymns and it is better if they are well known so that
your guests are able to join in.
We have a choir at St Matthew's and they are usually available to sing at your
wedding if you wish.
Many weddings just use our hymn books; but it is possible, of course, to have an Order of Service printed, with any hymns included. If you are planning a service sheet please
discuss it with us to ensure that the content is correct.
Cost of the Wedding.
Part of the cost (such as the Church fee) is agreed by Parliament. Incidentally, you may like to know that the Minister will not benefit financially from taking the
wedding. Fees are set annually and the current fees will be available
soon.
Baptisms (Christenings)
If you live in the parish, you can have a baptism at
St Matthew's. If you are not sure if you live in the parish, we can tell you if
you contact us. Baptisms take place during the main Sunday morning service at
10.30am.
In order to book a baptism service you need to come to the 10.30am service on a
Sunday and collect a form. Once you have completed the form, you need to come to
the Sunday service to return it. The reason for coming to church twice is so
that you are at least aware of what happens during a service and it is not
totally unfamiliar to you. When we have received the completed form we can
organise a date for the baptism and arrange to visit you at home. At the home
visit we will show you a short video about baptism and talk to you about the
promises you will make. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions
you may have.
There is no charge for a baptism service.