Baptism

Baptism is a sacrament – a sign of the love of God. Through baptism
we are publicly thanking Him for his gift of life and acknowledging
his love. As parents you are starting your child on a journey of faith
and asking for the support of the Church.

Baptism takes place usually on the first Sunday of each month. To make
 enquiries and arrangements you should telephone the Vicarage on
01384 394057 or e-mail vicar@holytrinityamblecote.org.uk
This would normally be followed by a Baptism preparation evening.

Marriage

Marriage is a public and outward expression of commitment and love
 between two people. By choosing to get married in church there is the
assurance that God cares about your relationship, and that you have the
support and encouragement of the Church family.

Again to make enquiries and arrangements you should telephone the
Vicarage on 01384 394057 or e-mail vicar@holytrinityamblecote.org.uk

Some frequently asked questions

Who can be married at Holy Trinity?
The law on who can be married in Church has recently changed

You are entitled to be married here if one or other of you:-

•  has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months

•  was baptised in the parish concerned

•  was prepared for confirmation in the parish  

•  has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the
  parish church for a period of at least 6 months

If one of your parents, at any time after you were born:-

•  has 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 or

If one of your parents or grandparents:-

•  was married in the parish

What are Banns of Marriage?
The preliminary to getting married in the Church of England is by
banns. You must have your banns read out in church for three
Sundays during the three months before your wedding day. This is
usually done over three consecutive Sundays. Banns are an
announcement of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone
to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take
 place. Banns are read in the parish where each of you lives as well
as at the church in which you are to be married if that is in
another parish.

At what age can we marry?
If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your parents’
consent to marry.

What are the costs involved?
There are centrally fixed fees which cover the publication of banns
(with a certificate if this is necessary), the service itself and a certificate
of marriage. These do not cover extras such as the choir, organist,
bells and video recording which are all charged separately.

What kind of service can we have?
It is for you to decide whether to have a service in traditional language
or one which uses more modern language.

Which hymns and songs shall we have?
The choice is yours but the priest can advise on suitable hymns and
songs, as well as music for coming in, going out and during the
signing of the register.
For a list of popular choices at weddings

How many rings should we have?
The decision whether to have just one ring or two is entirely yours.

Can we have a video recording of the service?
Video recording of the service is becoming increasingly popular however
 there is a fee for this.

Can divorced people marry in church?
Within the Anglican communion marriage is for life. The Church
 however accepts that some marriages fail. In certain circumstances a
divorced person may marry in church during the lifetime of a
former spouse. This is matter for discussion with the Parish Priest.
See further clarification from the Church of England website by
 reading:-
Marriage in Church after divorce.

This is a document in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat
Reader® installed on your computer to be able to open it.
Adobe Reader® is available, free of charge, from the Adobe website below.

More information about marriage in the Church of England can be
 found on its website, to visit

The Church of England now has an online Wedding Planner, to visit

 

Funerals
 

A funeral service marks the end of a person's earthly life. It presents
friends and family with a way of saying goodbye, giving thanks for
that life and expressing their natural grief. The service may take
a number of forms from a small group of family members and a
plain funeral service from the Prayer Book or Common Worship
to an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a
packed church. It can also be part of a Communion Service although
not everyone realises this.

For a list of favourite hymns for funeral services

Arranging a funeral
Everyone has the right to a funeral in their parish church, even if they,
 and the deceased, have not been regular church-goers.
After you have registered the death the funeral director will be
able to make all the necessary arrangements. He will, however, need to
know if the funeral is to be in the parish church or if the vicar is to take
the service in the crematorium. Funeral directors know the local clergy,
 the local cemeteries and the crematoria and will ensure that the
wishes of the family are met.

For a list of local Funeral Directors

Burials and the burial of ashes
Holy Trinity’s churchyard is open for burials and for the burial of
 ashes. When the burial of ashes takes place, usually a few days after
the funeral, a further very brief service is held if the family so wish.

Memorial Services at Holy Trinity
Quarterly services are held to which all family and friends of the
recently departed, in whose funeral services we have had a part, are
 sent letters of invitation. During the service a family member, or friend,
is invited to light a candle to the memory of their loved one.
These services are open to anyone who has experienced  bereavement.

Parish Priest
Reverend Alan Williams
The Vicarage, 4, The Holloway, Amblecote, Stourbridge, DY8 4DL
Telephone: 01384 - 394057
E-mail:  vicar@holytrinityamblecote.org.uk

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