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 and third
Sundays of each month. To make enquiries
and arrangements you should call into Church during the Office Hour, this is
between 7.00 pm
and 8.00 pm on the last Monday of every month. 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 call into Church during the
Office Hour, this is between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm on the last Monday of every
month.
Some frequently asked questions
Who can be married at Holy
Trinity?
You are entitled to be married here if one or other of you lives in the parish.
If Holy
Trinity is not the local church of either of you, you will have to go on the
electoral
roll. You will be expected to attend church services for a period of time before
going on the roll. In certain circumstances you can apply for a Special Licence.
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.
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. There is a fee
for this
which depends on whether the recording is made by an amateur or professional.
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.
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Funerals
A funeral service
marks the end of a persons 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.
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.
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
To make
arrangements for Baptisms, Banns or Weddings please call
at the Vicarage on Monday evenings between 6.00 pm. and 7.00 pm.
(Bank and Clergy holidays excepted).
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