St Lawrence Church

St Lawrence Church, Lechlade

Weddings and Baptisms etc

Baptism (or Christening)

Christian baptism (commonly known as christening) marks the beginning of a lifetime’s journey as a disciple of Christ. It is a sacrament – an outwards symbol (washing with water) which demonstrates an inner reality (commitment to Christ). People may be baptised as adults or as children. When children are baptised their parents and godparents make promises for them:

- to care for the children and pray for them

- to bring them up in the Christian faith

- to set them an example of Christian living

- to bring them to church

If you feel that you can make these promises, and if you are resident in the parish and / or a regular member of St. Lawrence church, we would be delighted to speak further with you about baptism. Baptisms are held on Sundays in the main morning service at 10.00 am. At least a couple of months notice is usually needed to make the preparations.

We encourage people who do not live in the parish and who are not on the church membership list to make contact with their own local church to arrange a christening.

Or a thanksgiving service?

Many people feel that they would like to celebrate the gift of new life and give thanks for their baby, but do not, in honesty, feel that they are ready to make the promises of baptism. We offer ‘Thanksgiving for the gift of a child’ services to meet this need.

Please contact the Vicar on vicar@stlawrencelechlade.org.uk

Wedding and Wedding Blessings

Marriage in church offers a couple the opportunity to make their vows in the presence of God and his people, and to receive his blessing on their married life. The church also offers couples wedding preparation sessions.

St Lawrence is a popular church for weddings, and we can offer a capable choir and bellringers. Weddings are held in daylight hours throughout the year, but we cannot guarantee that a choir or bellringers will be available for a midweek wedding.

Who can be married at St. Lawrence?

The legal situation on marriage is being reviewed by the Church of England, but at present those who wish to be married should either be resident in the parish, or on the church membership list. If either of those is impossible, a form of licence may be sought, but this is a complicated and expensive process.

One of us has been divorced – can we be married in church?

God’s intention is that marriage should be for life, and this is reflected in the wedding vows. The church does recognize that marriages can end, and that forgiveness and a fresh start is possible. Whether it is appropriate for a marriage to be held in church will depend very much on circumstances – please contact us to discuss this in confidence.

Wedding Blessings

‘A Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving after Civil Marriage’ – or more informally, a ‘Wedding Blessing’ is a service in which a couple who are already married celebrate their marriage and pray for God’s blessing.

To enquire further about Weddings or Wedding Blessings, please contact the Vicar at vicar@stlawrencelechlade.org.uk

Funeral

We regularly hold funeral services in church, and an organist is available so that hymns and songs can be played. Clergy and lay readers also officiate at local crematoria. Some families decide that a memorial service in church would be appropriate too.

Sadly the churchyard is now closed and no further burials are possible. Burials, and the burial of ahses, are carried out at the local authority grounds in Downington, Lechlade.

To arrange a funeral service, we advise that a local undertaker should be approached first, although the clergy are always willing to talk with bereaved families.

Other services we can offer include:

Prayers in a new home

Reaffirmation of wedding vows, for instance at a Golden wedding, or after a time of difficulty in a relationship.

Home Communion for the housebound

Laying on of hands and prayer for healing

Emergency Baptism

Confirmation, including a preparation course

Private confession, spiritual advice, and, if appropriate, absolution.

Prayer for deliverance from oppressive forces – this would be undertaken with great care and only after seeking the advice of a Diocesan expert.

To enquire about any of these ministries or acts of worship, please contact the Vicar on vicar@stlawrencelechlade.org.uk

Email: info@stlawrencelechlade.org.uk Last Modified: 08 September 2007