Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith.
The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.
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, there may be 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.
As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.
Introduction to the Common Worship Baptism Rite
Jesus said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’
John 10.10
In the first instance please either call The Vicar, The Rev'd. Gareth Bowen on 01322 - 523344 or 07775 - 674504 or call into the Parish Office on Saturdays between 10:00am and 11:00am. We will discuss the baptism service and I will give you an Application Form, please complete the Baptism Application form and return it to the Parish Office.
Saint Martin’s is an Inclusive Church, we are committed to ensuring that those who are excluded in society because of their poverty, different abilities, gender, ethnic origin or any other reason can play their full part in the Gospel of Jesus Christ's unconditional love.
Please ask your guests to ensure that mobile phones are switched off during the service and remind them that no flash photography is allowed in the church. Almost all our baptismal services take place during the Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, at 10:30 on Sunday morning. After the baptism part of the service we have our prayers of intercession and then the Peace. After sharing the Peace please return to your seats as the service continues with the Eucharist. We welcome people of all faiths, and of none, at Saint Martin’s; please respect the beliefs of the church and other people’s need for quiet in which to pray and reflect upon our Lord.
There is no charge for Baptism, but we are obliged to make a statutory charge of £12:00 for a Baptism Certificate. If this fee will cause hardship please talk to the Vicar, The Rev’d. Gareth Bowen.
It costs in excess of £65,000 each year to run Saint Martin’s, which is over £1,250:00 per week. If you would like to make an offering towards the work of the Church please do so and you and your guests may like to use the Gift Aid envelopes so that we can recoup, from the Government, the income-tax that you have paid at no extra cost to you.
We hope to see you at Saint Martin’s, many blessings,
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Funerals & Bereavement
"God's love and power extend over all creation. Every life, including our own, is precious to God. Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is new life in Christ over death.
Even those who share such faith find that there is a real sense of loss at the death of a loved one. We will each have had our own experiences of their life and death, with different memories and different feelings of love, grief and respect. To acknowledge this at the beginning of the service should help us to use this occasion to express our faith and our feelings as we say farewell, to acknowledge our loss and our sorrow, and to reflect on our own mortality. Those who mourn need support and consolation. Our presence at the funeral is part of that continuing support."
- from the Common Worship Funeral Service.
Bereavement is enough for anyone to try to cope with without the pressures of organising a funeral. Registering the death can be difficult. Very often the coroner may have to be involved before the death can be registered. This happens when a doctor hasn't been able to ascertain the cause of death immediately.
You will need to contact a funeral director, who will be able to guide you through the organising of the funeral. It is important that you ask the funeral director any questions you might have, and share any thoughts. The funeral director is there to help you.
You can use the Staff Who's Who link below to contact a minister directly, or ask the funeral director to do so. We will liaise with the funeral director to make sure that you are fully supported, and plan a service that meets your needs, and the wishes of your loved one.
In our area, there are a number of possibilities for the funeral service. A service can be held in Saint Martin’s. A service can be held in a crematorium chapel. A service can be held at the graveside in a cemetery. A service in church may conclude with a trip to a cemetery or a crematorium. In this case it is possible to have the funeral in Saint Martin’s, and then to proceed to the crematorium for the committal.
After cremation, it is possible to bury the cremated remains (ashes) in a graveyard or garden of remembrance at a later date. The remains are normally placed in a wooden casket, and are buried in a simple ceremony lasting a few minutes. It is then possible to mark the place with an appropriate memorial.
The clergy from Saint Martin’s are available to pray with anyone who is dying (often with the anointing of oil and/or Holy Communion). Please call The Vicar, The Rev’d. Gareth Bowen, 24hrs a day if necessary, 01322 – 523344 or 07775 - 674504.
We also remember all those for whom we have performed funerals in an annual memorial service, and invite friends and family to join with us.
Even those who share such faith find that there is a real sense of loss at the death of a loved one. We will each have had our own experiences of their life and death, with different memories and different feelings of love, grief and respect. To acknowledge this at the beginning of the service should help us to use this occasion to express our faith and our feelings as we say farewell, to acknowledge our loss and our sorrow, and to reflect on our own mortality. Those who mourn need support and consolation. Our presence at the funeral is part of that continuing support."
- from the Common Worship Funeral Service.
Bereavement is enough for anyone to try to cope with without the pressures of organising a funeral. Registering the death can be difficult. Very often the coroner may have to be involved before the death can be registered. This happens when a doctor hasn't been able to ascertain the cause of death immediately.
You will need to contact a funeral director, who will be able to guide you through the organising of the funeral. It is important that you ask the funeral director any questions you might have, and share any thoughts. The funeral director is there to help you.
You can use the Staff Who's Who link below to contact a minister directly, or ask the funeral director to do so. We will liaise with the funeral director to make sure that you are fully supported, and plan a service that meets your needs, and the wishes of your loved one.
In our area, there are a number of possibilities for the funeral service. A service can be held in Saint Martin’s. A service can be held in a crematorium chapel. A service can be held at the graveside in a cemetery. A service in church may conclude with a trip to a cemetery or a crematorium. In this case it is possible to have the funeral in Saint Martin’s, and then to proceed to the crematorium for the committal.
After cremation, it is possible to bury the cremated remains (ashes) in a graveyard or garden of remembrance at a later date. The remains are normally placed in a wooden casket, and are buried in a simple ceremony lasting a few minutes. It is then possible to mark the place with an appropriate memorial.
The clergy from Saint Martin’s are available to pray with anyone who is dying (often with the anointing of oil and/or Holy Communion). Please call The Vicar, The Rev’d. Gareth Bowen, 24hrs a day if necessary, 01322 – 523344 or 07775 - 674504.
We also remember all those for whom we have performed funerals in an annual memorial service, and invite friends and family to join with us.
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