LIFE EVENTS

Christening

Baptism is also known as Christening. Everyone is welcome to have their child baptised, or be baptised themselves, in their parish church.

In bringing their child for baptism parents make a decision to start their child on a lifelong journey of faith. Parents and godparents thank God for the gift of new life and promise to help and support the child in their growth in faith. The church also promises to welcome the newly baptised and to pray for them.

We also welcome adults who want to be baptised and will meet with you to prepare you for this step on your journey of faith. Adults being baptised are also encouraged to consider Confirmation.

Baptisms usually take place during one of our 10am Sunday services or we can hold a separate service at 12 noon if that is appropriate. We welcome up to two different families at a baptism service. If you would like to consider baptism for yourself or for your child, come to one of our services and speak to one of the clergy team. We will then meet with you to help you to prepare for this special celebration. The dates of baptisms for 2025 are listed below. 

If you have any questions, do get in touch. You can also find out more about baptism on the Church of England’s website.

During the 10am Sunday service:

5 January 30 March (Mothering Sunday) 1 June 7 September
2 February 20 April (Easter Sunday) 6 July 5 October
2 March 4 May (Patronal) 3 August 2 November

After the Sunday service, at 12noon:

19 January 15 June 21 September
16 February 20 July 19 October
25 May 17 August 16 November

Weddings and Thanksgiving for Marriage

Getting married in church is very special. People choose to get married at St John’s for all kinds of reasons; not only is St John’s a beautiful church and the vows very meaningful, but we will also take time to get to know you and your family and take care to plan your service with you. In addition, we will offer you support and space to prepare for the married life you will share. In all of this we will seek God’s blessing for your life together.

Marriage is open to those who live in the parish or who have a qualifying connection to St John’s. If you wish to get married at St John’s, do get in touch with the parish administrator and a member of the clergy will contact you. With our bishop’s permission we can conduct marriages for those who have been married before and with second marriages we will offer particular support and care in preparation for the big day. If you have children, we can make sure they feel included and involved.

We would be delighted to hold a service for you in thanksgiving for your civil wedding or civil partnership, whether you are in a same-sex or different-sex relationship, and will take care to plan the right service for you. Do get in touch and we can talk through your plans.

To find out more about planning a church wedding, including the legal requirements, please visit the Church of England’s weddings website.

If you need to have your banns read at St John’s, please contact our parish administrator.

Funerals

If someone is nearing the end of their life, the family may wish the Vicar or another minister to spend some time with the dying person and pray with them. We consider it a privilege to be able to accompany people and their families at this important and difficult time, and seek to offer sensitive pastoral care. Get in touch if you are seeking this kind of support.

Funerals are always arranged in partnership with a local funeral director and we are happy to put families in touch with a firm who will support them carefully. The ministers at St John’s can lead funeral services both in church and at local cemeteries and crematoria. We will always spend time with the family of the deceased to make the funeral as personal as possible and to offer ongoing support and care where that is appropriate.