Redenhall Benefice

·         We will do everything we can to make your marriage day a very special occasion, marking the beginning of a long and very happy marriage.

·         If you would like to get married in church, come along one Sunday morning to our service, and speak to the clergy at the end. Or please contact one of the clergy by phone.   We will then arrange to see you to talk through all the details, and to see if the church is free on your preferred date.

     …what about rules and regulations?

·         Normally, we are only permitted to marry you if one of you has an address within the parish boundary. Under new regulations, you will also qualify if you have a past link with the parish - for example if your parents were married at the church - contact the Rector to discuss this.  You also qualify if you are baptised and have worshipped in our benefice churches for six months.  You also need to be over 18 to marry (you can still get married if you are 16 or 17 but you need to have parent/guardian consent). 

·         Marriage after a divorce is a possibility, though different church rules apply. Contact the Rector to discuss this.  further details can be found on http//www.yourchurchwedding.org

…the wedding day

·         Video recordings of your service are normally permitted, but we have to charge you an extra fee for this to cover copyright material – ask the Rector about this.

·         Confetti – we are happy for your guests to throw confetti, but this must be biodegradable confetti, which we have available for sale in church at all weddings.

·         How much does it cost?   Wedding fees will vary according to your requirements. the cost of a church wedding can be less than £350, but if you budget for about £650, this should cover most things such as your ‘statutory’/diocesan fees, bell ringers, choir, etc. A current table of fees is available from the church, and in cases of hardship, please speak to the Rector 

Funerals

Members of the ministry team are always willing to conduct funerals, and give priority to being available for families in grief. The arrangements are usually made through an undertaker. We are also available to discuss funeral arrangements well in advance of the event, including readings, hymns, eulogies, and who should give them.    For some Suggestions for Hymns at a Funeral.doc, please follow this link

Baptism is the Church’s special welcome into God’s family of the Church. People are normally baptised as babies, but many are baptised as children, young people or adults.

When a baby arrives, families and friends want to celebrate, and want to join in saying “thank you” for the miracle of new life.  A Baptism or Christening Service caters for all this. It also includes promises about Jesus and the church and prays for God’s protection and blessing.

Everyone is baptised using water, in the name of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, for Jesus himself was baptised in the waters of the river  Jordan. Parents and godparents make promises for babies and young children who cannot answer for themselves. Parents, godparents and the church family also make promises of their own, to provide the person being baptised with the opportunities and encouragement they need to follow Jesus.

At our Benefice churches, all who are baptised have the sign of the cross made on their forehead, and all are given a lighted candle, to symbolise the light of Christ in our life. Baptism normally leads to ‘confirmation’ when young people and adults confirm the decision made on their behalf by their parents and godparents when they were babies.

You may have some questions to ask about this we have the answeres to some FAQs please click on Baptism Questions.doc

·         You want to book a Christening? If you'd like to arrange a baptism, come along to one of our Sunday morning services, and speak to the clergy at the end. We have a children’s corner and children’s Sunday Club where young children are welcome.  You can also phone one of the clergy to make arrangements.

• How many Godparents may we have? Prospective godparents must be at least themselves have been Christened before they can take on this responsibility. A godparent may or may not be related to the child, and a child may have one or several godparents. Traditionally a child is given two godparents of their own sex and one of the opposite, ie - a baby boy has two godfathers and one godmother and a baby girl has one godfather and two godmothers. But there are no strict rules about this, and the number of godparents that a child has is left to you to decide. It will be important that godparents are people who will provide a good role model for your child, and will help them to learn something about the Christian faith as they grow up.

·         Are there fees for Baptisms or Christenings? There are no charges for baptisms in the Church of England but if you would like to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated!

·         Can adults or older children and young people be Christened? Yes! but different church rules apply. So - if you are an adult and are thinking about Baptism or Confirmation, please get in touch with the Rector.

·         How can I get a duplicate/replacement baptism certificate?  If you need a copy of a baptism certificate please contact the Rector