Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Baptisms
We’re delighted you’re thinking of baptism for you or your child. Baptism is a Holy ritual symbolising the Grace of God, the gift of life and publicly acknowledging God’s love for us. In baptism for a child you promise to raise them to know that God loves them, and to help them to follow Jesus as a member of the Church.
What is Baptism?
Baptism, sometimes known as Christening, marks a new beginning of Christian life, whether we are adults or children. It may be that Baptism happens at the very start of life, and the journey of faith, or it may be that the journey to faith has already been long or dramatic or even difficult or convoluted, but this service provides us with a way in which we now become full members of God’s church. Baptism also presents to us the Christian story and invites us to make that story even more part of our own life story. Baptism is available for children, young people and adults.
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Weddings
It is really great that you are considering starting your married life together with a wedding in church. From your first contact with us at The Three Colnes to your first anniversary and beyond, we’re here for you at every step.
Together we can follow the seven steps to give you a truly heavenly wedding.
1. Find a church
We take it by the fact that you are looking at this page that you are considering having your wedding service at one of our three churches.
You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show:-
That one of you:
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
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
has 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
That one of your parents or grandparents:
was married in the parish
So that is quite simple then. And did you know that if you move house, you’re immediately connected to the church there? That means you can marry in the church of your new parish.
2. Call the Vicar
So you have chosen to get married at one of our churches. Let us know your good news as soon as you can so that we can fix a time to meet together to discuss what happens next.
3. Space to think
Before your wedding, the Priest may invite you to an event to help prepare you for married life together. It’s a no-obligation invitation, but one that many couples appreciate. It provides time and space to think about the vows and the difference they will make as you start your life together.
4. Banns
Banns will be announced in church for a period of three consecutive weeks letting people know of your intention to marry and providing a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. At these services, everyone at our churches will also be praying for you. It can be very special and moving, so come along if you can.
5. Rehearsal
Near your wedding day, perhaps the week before, you will usually have the opportunity to rehearse the ceremony with those who are involved, and make any last minute changes.
6. The Big Day
The Priest will do all they can to make the day a personal, meaningful and spiritual experience for you and your guests.
7. First Anniversary and beyond
Our churches will always be there for you throughout your marriage if you need us and we would be delighted to mark your first anniversary by praying for you both. All you have to do is ask.
For more information Get in Touch
Funerals
A funeral service is a special time to mark the end of a person’s life here on earth. It is when family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God’s keeping. A funeral service can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.
Everyone who lived in the parish or has a special connection to the parish is entitled to a funeral service at the parish church regardless of whether they have attended church or not. Please speak to the Vicar for more information.
Although most of our funeral services take place in church, we understand that it is some people’s preference to have the service at a local crematorium and a member of our clergy team are happy to lead these services.
We enjoy a good relationship with all of the local funeral directors and help them plan the funeral arrangements. The Priest will usually visit members of the family prior to the funeral to talk through the arrangements for the day, talk about the deceased and offer any spiritual or practical help that the church can give.
Funeral ministry is an important ministry at The Three Colnes. After the funeral we will stay in touch if you would like us to. People find this very helpful as they work through their grief, and appreciate the opportunity to talk about the person that they have lost.
Those who have been bereaved are invited to memorial services that are held throughout the year where we remember and pray for all those who have died and their families. We will send you an invite to these services.
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