Life Events
Please note that this page gives details of Baptism, Confirmation, Weddings and Funerals as Church of England (Anglican) services.
As The Church in Great Notley is a Local Ecumenical partnership, you may wish to mark a Life Event through another of our partner churches (URC, Methodist, Baptist). To find out more, please speak to Rev'd David Sebley, our URC Minister.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28.19
Baptism
Anyone who lives in the parish is welcome to request baptism for themselves or to have their child baptised in the parish church.
Baptism, sometimes known as christening, is the way people become members of God’s family, the church and the worldwide Christian community.
Central to a baptism service are promises. In baptism we recognise God's promise to love us, to forgive us and to give us a new start when we turn to God.
In return we make promises to God:
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ
Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins
Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil
Thank you so much for a beautiful, personal service. It was so special and our daughter clearly enjoyed herself!
In the case of a baby or young child, their godparents and parents also make promises to:
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To pray for the child
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To draw them by example into the community of faith
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To walk with them in the way of Christ
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To care for the child
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To help him or her take their place in the life and worship of Christ's Church
All these promises are not made in our own strength; the response to each promise made is 'with the help of God, we will.'
We hope and pray that infant candidates grow in faith, hope and love throughout their childhoods, and one day make these promises for themselves in a Confirmation service (see below)
If you would like to celebrate the birth of your child, but don't feel like you are able to make these promises in good faith, then you are welcome to have a Thanksgiving service.
For FAQs which include more information about booking a baptism service, please click here.
If you are enquiring about baptism at Black Notley, Great Notley or Rayne please send an initial enquiry e-mail to admin@thethreechurches.co.uk
Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.
Amen
Confirmation
Confirmation is a special church service when someone confirms the promises that were made when they were baptized. If you were baptised at a christening when you were a child, your parents and godparents made these promises on your behalf. As a young person or adult, you may be ready to affirm these promises for yourself and commit your life to following Jesus Christ. At a confirmation service, you make these promises for yourself.
Confirmation shows that I have grown in the church and made the exciting decision to be a Christian myself.
Your friends and family as well as the local Christian community will be there to promise to support and pray for you.
The local bishop will lay their hands on your head and ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you the strength and commitment to live God’s way for the rest of your life.
Preparation for confirmation will involve completing a tailor-made course with one of our ministers.
For more information please e-mail admin@thethreechurches.co.uk
God is love, and those who live in love live in God: and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16
Marriage
Thank you for the most amazing, personal wedding ceremony. It was literally perfect, you captured us so well.
A church wedding is a joy! By getting married in church, you are asking for God’s blessing on your life together - the best start you can have.
But we are not just here for your one wedding day, we are also here to help you prepare for your married life together.
Please see here for any FAQ you may have.
You might also find the Church of England weddings page helpful which also outlines the process for Foreign Nationals and Marriage in Church after Divorce.
You may already be married but would like to have your marriage blessed in Church.
Please enquire about weddings, wedding blessings or renewal of vows services, by e-mailing admin@thethreechurches.co.uk
"Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and I am the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die"
John 11:25 - 26
Funerals
A funeral service in church is for anyone, even if they've not been churchgoers in their life.
The ministers will help you plan the service, which can be very simple, or more elaborate if you wish. It usually lasts about thirty minutes and always includes prayers, a Bible reading and a short address, giving a message of hope. Hymns, music, other readings and a tribute to your loved one can also be included. Please take a look here to see some options for personalising a funeral service.
If you would like to arrange a funeral please speak to your funeral directors. A member of our team will then contact you to arrange a time to meet and plan the most fitting funeral to remember your loved one.
If you are interested in the interment of ashes of a loved one, please click on the All Saints or the St Peter and St Paul's Churchyard page.
Thank you so much for a lovely service today, my whole family send their thanks also.