Baptisms & Weddings
The birth of a child and the celebration of a marriage If you would like to send us an enquiry regarding either Read more about Baptism or Marriage here.
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus’ baptism. And as a sign of that new life, the newly baptised will be given a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptized walks in that light for the rest of their lives. Jesus said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ John 10.10
A wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.
On their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God’s blessing. The guests are witnesses of the marriage, and express support by their presence and prayers. That support does not end on the Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13.4-7
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