Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals
Thinking of getting Married?
Download Wedding Information Pack
Many people choose a church as the place in which to celebrate their marriage. Tradition is an important part of this choice, but more importantly couples choose to marry in church, in the presence of God, because God’s blessing adds a deep meaning and significance to the occasion.
The Church of England has a special place in relation to the laws of the country in respect of marriage. There is a legal right to marry in the parish church in the parish where you live. You do not have to be a regular worshipper or to be baptised. You will be welcome and we will be delighted to help you to celebrate your marriage.
Can I marry in a Church in the Benefice of St Aldhelm?
YES if one of you:
- lives in the parish or is on the Church’s electoral roll
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
- was baptised in the parish
- was prepared for confirmation in the parish
one of your parents
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months
- has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
one of your parents or grandparents
- was married in the parish
If none of the above apply you can still marry if you are granted a Special Licence.
If you would like to enquire about celebrating your marriage in one of the seven churches within the Benefice of St Aldhelm (plus St Aldhelm’s Chapel, high up on the cliffs outside Worth Matravers), please contact the administrator in the Benefice Office 01929 427822 office@purbeckbenefice.plus.com.
The administrator will put you I touch with the appropriate member of the clergy team.
If you have celebrated a civil marriage it is possible to have your ceremony blessed in church and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.
What will it cost? Charges for 2021
- The fee payable to the church: £464
- Having your banns read at the home church: £31 + £14 for the banns certificate = £45
- Having your banns read at the church where you will marry: £31
We can also offer the following options:
Bells Corfe – (to be added)
Worth Matravers - £110
Kingston - £170
Choir Langton Matravers – Please call Richard Earl 01929 475822
Organist £100
For further information on planning a wedding click on the banner below. This will take you to the Church of England Wedding site.
https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/weddings
Funerals
A service in church provides an opportunity for family and friends to come together celebrate the life of the person who has died and to express their grief and to commend them into God’s keeping.
The words of the service provide reassurance and comfort and remind us that whoever we are, we are precious in God’s sight.
It is important that the funeral service reflects the families’ wishes and is an appropriate occasion in which to remember the unique person who has died. The clergy are therefore willing to help you to choose music, poetry, readings and prayers that will be appropriate.
The clergy and church family will support you through the process of arranging the funeral and we will offer to support you with our friendship and prayers afterwards.
Baptism
Many people are baptised as babies. Some are baptised in church in later life. There is no right or wrong time. For older children and adults, the decision to be baptised is theirs and is part of joining a worshipping community. When an infant is baptised, parents and godparents promise to bring up the child in the Christian faith so that when the time is right, the child May declare the Christian faith for his or herself at a service of confirmation. Confirmation is the event in a person’s life when they make a public declaration of their Christian faith.
The term ‘christening’ is sometimes used - it is another word for baptism. A baptism is a ‘sacrament’ - a visible sign of God’s love.
When do baptisms they take place?
Baptisms usually take place in the church’s main service, because they are a public declaration that your child has become part of the church family. It is important that the church congregation is there to support you and welcome your child.
What happens at a Baptism?
If it is a child being baptised, (we baptise adults as well) the minister will ask the parents and godparents to make declarations and promises. The minister will make the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead. This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united and not ashamed to proclaim their faith. The minister will pour water on the head. Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. Baptism is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with God. After baptism in water, the minister may anoint with oil as a sign of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus is called the light of the world. A large candle may be lit in the church and parents may be given a lighted candle.
Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. Ideally, you should have at least three godparents; where possible, two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child’s spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child. The godparents should be baptised themselves.
A Thanksgiving Service for the child can also offered.
For more information, please contact Katie in the Benefice Office 01929 427822 office@purbeckbenefice.plus.com.
Katie will put you in touch with the appropriate member of the clergy team.
There is no fee for a service of baptism.
Venues that can be hired to hold weddings receptions, Baptism reception party and Funeral wakes –
Please click on the links to find out more......
St George's Church, Langton Matravers - 01929 427822
Langton Matravers Village Hall – 01929 424647
The Kings Arms Langton Matravers – 01929 422979
The Scott Arms Kingston – 01929 480270
Kingston Country Courtyard – 01929 481066
Worth Matravers Village Hall – 01929 439903
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers – 01929 439229
The Benefice of St Aldhelm 