Updated 10th November 2017

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS

For more details about any of the information below, please contact us via our  'Contact Us' page

Parish Office hour (to arrange Baptisms or Weddings) will take place on SUNDAYS between 5 - 6pm in Church

If you wish to be baptised, to have your child baptised, or to be married at St Mary's West Acklam, the general guidelines regarding eligibility are as follows.  

The Church of England operates on a geographical basis. Your local parish church has a responsibility for your pastoral care and as part of this, offers the services of Baptism and Marriage.

                    WEDDINGS

Marriages can take place at St Mary’s West Acklam of those who fulfil one of the criteria listed below under the new guidelines set out by the Church of England. Under these guidelines a couple may be married here if either of you can show one of the seven connections with the parish. 

That one of you:
 
was baptised in the parish or
was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months and is on the electoral roll*

or  

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
 
has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months
or has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months and been on the electoral roll*

or   That one of your parents or grandparents:
 
was married in the parish.

* The electoral roll is our membership list, made up of those who worship here regularly. People can join the electoral roll once they have attended St Mary’s regularly for six months, and if they intend to continue doing so.   In all cases involving church services - i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage - this applies only to Church of England services.   If you are still not sure whether you are eligible to be married at St Mary's West Acklam, or whether you live in the parish, please contact the vicar.
  

For further information about your special day click onto the Church of England Web site www.cofe.anglican.org where you will find help in planning the service, choosing hymns, processional hymns, readings and prayers.

If your reception is at Acklam Hall the door between the Church and Hall can be opened so you and your guests can park at the Hall, walk through to Church for the wedding and afterwards walk back to the Hall.

                           BAPTISMS

Baptism (sometimes referred to as christening) involves an 'initiation' and welcome into the world church, represented by a local church with which you have a relationship.

If you live in the parish of St Mary’s West Acklam the baptism can take place here. If you do not live in the parish but have a close pastoral connection with St Mary's or regularly attend services here then the baptism can take place here.

However, if you do not live in the parish and have no such connection you will need to see your local parish priest about baptism, as it is important that the baptism takes place in a church community with which you will have the opportunity for an on going connection.

If you have a meal or refreshments at Acklam Hall after the Baptism,  the door between the Church and Hall can be opened so you can park at the Hall, walk through to Church and afterwards walk back to the Hall.

                               FUNERALS

"For I am convinced that neither death not life, either angels nor demons , neither the present, nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be abe to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8 38-39.

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief and to give thanks for the life which now has completed its journey in this world and to commend the person into the Lord's keeping.

St Mary’s, West Acklam will always be made available for funerals. The minister will visit beforehand and give all the help that is necessary in planning a comforting and meaningful celebration of the person’s life. He will help you with the choice of music, hymns and readings.

The deceased person's name will be included in prayers normally on the Sunday after the funeral.