If you live in our parish you can ask to be baptised, married and to have your funeral service in your parish church.

Baptism: if you are under 16 years of age we are happy for you to be baptised with the support of your family. However, this only makes sense if you are encouraged to come to church with them. Baptism is the beginning of a relationship that continues for eternity. Although in one sense your relationship with God began when you were born, baptism shows that you want to have that relationship, even if initially this is done on your behalf until you are old enough. Before the day of the service one of the clergy will meet your parents and godparents to talk about baptism and to answer any questions. We baptise during our main Sunday service at 10.30 a.m. about 6 times every year. No more than 3 families can be involved on any one occasion and applications must be made at least 2 calendar months in advance.

First Communion: at St Thomas' we are ready to prepare our children to receive communion once they are in year 3 of their primary school. They must be coming to church regularly and this enables them to take a full part in our service.

Confirmation: if you are over 16 you can be prepared for confirmation. If you were not baptised when you were younger this takes place at the same time. There is no upper age limit to either when you can be baptised or confirmed. Confirmation is an adult commitment of faith, marking a stage in your spiritual life. Our spiritual growth continues until the end of our lives.

Marriage: if you are both over 18, or 16 if you have your parents permission, we are able to hold your wedding service in church. For this to be possible one of you must be baptised and either live in the parish, or worship regularly at St Thomas'. It is now possible for people who have been divorced, and whose first spouse is still living, to be married in the Church of England, although there are some conditions. Some people who live in the parish get married in the church where one of them comes from as if they are still living at home with their parents. We read their banns here. How much more honest to be married in the community where you are living! Marriage registers reveal that couples nowadays usually have the same address. What happens in church is a 'solemnisation' of a relationship that already exists. You can also go to the registry office to make your legal contract and then come here with your certificate to have your marriage blessed.

Civil Partnerships: unfortunately we are not allowed by law to register your civil partnership. However, we would certainly consider having your partnership blessed here after the civil ceremony.

Funerals: you can have your funeral service here before going to the crematorium or cemetery. This is better for two reasons. We do not have to worry about the length of the service, whereas in a crematorium you have a 'slot', and a church building has associations other than death. Wherever you want to have the service, if you want your parish priest to take it, it is vital that we are consulted before the time is fixed with the funeral director. Most funerals are arranged by your next of kin, but you can plan this beforehand by making a contract with a particular firm, writing a will with details of what you want, or at the very least telling your next of kin what you would like. Making a will is a sign of maturity and not ' tempting fate' at all. If we truly love those closest to us we will want to make life easier for them, at a time when they are bereaved, by being clear about our intentions. We also have a small garden around the church where many parishioners' ashes are interred. This not only avoids a long journey to the nearest 'garden of rest', but means that their mortal remains are in a familiar place nearby.

If you would like to discuss any of these matters or arrange for a baptism, wedding or funeral, please contact the vicar.