Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals

For enquiries about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals or to book a date, in the first instance, please contact the churchwarden of the church where you would like the event to take place – see Contacts page. Further information is available below.

Two retired clergy have offered to assist in covering Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals in the Benefice: Revd. Martin Perry Tel: 01823 652683 and email: bask4faith@yahoo.co.uk and Revd. Maureen Young Tel: 01984 632624 and email: reverendmaureenyoung@gmail.com

Our Church Centre may be hired for serving refreshments after all of these events, if required.

Having your child Baptised (Christened) at one of the Churches in Bishops Lydeard Benefice

In this Benefice, Baptisms usually take place on a Sunday afternoon in the parish church nearest to where you live and/or worship, so one of the first questions you will be asked is for your current home address. We will then fix a date with you for the Baptism to take place.

What will happen next is that one of the retired clergy (see above) will probably arrange to meet you at home, to answer any questions about bringing up your child in the Christian faith and to explain more about the meaning of Baptism. You will be given a copy of the Baptism service itself and, if you wish, a rehearsal day and time can be arranged. A form will need to be completed, and for this you will need to have the following information available:

• the Christian name(s) and surname of the child
• the date of birth of the child and when you would like the baptism to take place
• an address and telephone number where you can be contacted
• the Christian name(s) and surname(s) of the parent(s), their occupation and whether each of them have been baptised themselves and/or confirmed
• the names and addresses of godparents and whether they have been baptised and/or confirmed.

It is usual to have three godparents, two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex, but to have one godfather and one godmother is sufficient if there are problems finding three godparents.

Parents may be godparents to their own children, provided that the child has at least one other godparent.

There is no fee payable for Baptism (Christening), though there will usually be an opportunity after the service for thanksgiving for the birth of a particular child in the form of donations towards the upkeep of the church building or for a particular church project.

We look forward very much to welcoming you, and celebrating with your family. For the first three years after your child’s Baptism, the Benefice will send you an anniversary card to let you know that we are thinking of you and praying for you. In accordance with Data Protection regulations, if you would prefer us not to do this, please let us know.

The Church of England website has some useful information about Christenings here.

IF YOU ARE AN ADULT, AND CONSIDERING BEING BAPTISED OR CONFIRMED, please contact one of the retired clergy (see above) who have offered to assist in the Benefice, who will be pleased to hear from you and to encourage you, to chat through what is involved and help you make arrangements for your Baptism or Confirmation. No one is too old to be Baptised and/or Confirmed so, if you feel that this is something you would like to explore, do get in touch!

The Church of England website has some useful information about adult Baptism here and confirmation here.

Getting married in one of the churches in Bishops Lydeard Benefice

Many congratulations on your forthcoming marriage. We are pleased that you are considering holding your wedding at one of our five churches.

Please contact the churchwarden of the church where you would like the event to take place – see Contacts page, who will be glad to help you begin making arrangements. You will need to begin by first checking whether you are legally eligible to marry in one of the Benefice churches. One of the retired clergy (see above) will be able to tell you if you are eligible, or you can have a look on the Church of England website. You will then need to fix a wedding date in the Benefice diary, and then meet with whoever will conduct your wedding. That person will look forward to getting to know you, and will help you plan the service details.

If you are considering a Service of Blessing after a Civil Marriage, please speak to the churchwarden of the church where you would like the event to take place to discuss the possibility of this and to book a date. It may be necessary for whoever conducts your service to apply for permission from the Bishop.

Statutory fees for a Marriage service can be found here.

These fees do not include charges for the services of an organist (currently £100), bells (currently between £150-£200) or flowers (negotiable).

The Church of England has created a useful website about getting married in church which can be found here.

Arranging a funeral at a church in the Bishops Lydeard Benefice

Funerals and memorial services are usually arranged by your Funeral Director in the first instance, who will contact the church and one of the retired clergy (see above) on your behalf to book both the church and someone to conduct the service. A priest or churchwarden will then be in touch with you to arrange a pastoral visit, and to help you decide the details and content of the service (for example your choice of hymns and readings), so that it reflects a sincere and appropriate thanksgiving for the life of your loved one.

On the Sunday nearest All Souls’ Day in November each year, there is a service to remember loved ones, to light a candle and have their name read out if that is your wish. An invitation is usually sent out, reminding people of this opportunity and details usually appear in the October edition of Fiveways (the local magazine).

We pray for you in your sad loss, that you may know God’s peace, love and comfort surround you and your family.

Please visit the Church of England website about funerals here.