Weddings & Baptisms
Please contact our Parish Administrator at the Parish Office in the first instance. She will be able to discuss dates and details of your options and what fees you can expect.
Funerals
If you have had a bereavement and you would like to talk to one of the ministry team, the answerphone message has details of what to do. Our churchyard is open for the interment of ashes, subject to our Churchyard Regulations – see link below.
In our church we uphold the traditional teaching of the Church about marriage, that it is gift of God in creation and a means of grace and that it should always be undertaken as a lifelong commitment.
We are delighted to marry all couples who come to us requesting a marriage service providing:
a) At least one of the couple lives or has a place of residence in the parish or at least one of the couple is a regular worshipper at our church and has their name on the Electoral Roll.
b) The couple make every effort to share in and contribute to our marriage preparation activities.
c) There has been no previous marriage for either party where a previous partner is still living.
In line with the Marriage Measure 2008 we will also consider applications for marriage from couples who have a qualifying connection with one of our churches. These qualifying connections are;
One of the person’s concerned:
a) was baptised in the parish; or
b) has been confirmed and the confirmation has been entered in a register book belonging to the parish; or
c) has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months: or
d) has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months; or
e) have parents who at any time during the person’s lifetime have had their usual place of residence in the parish for 6 months; or
f) have parents who at any time during the person’s lifetime habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months; or
g) have parents or grandparents who were married in the parish.
The acceptance of applications for marriage in these circumstances will depend on the willingness of the couple to share in our marriage preparation activities and the availability of a priest to conduct the marriage.
We do not usually offer marriage to couples when one or both of them have been married before and where a previous partner is still living. We will, however, offer the Service of Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Marriage providing the relationship in question did not begin before a previous marriage ended.
In exceptional circumstances we are prepared to perform a marriage service for a couple when one or both of them are divorced, providing they fulfil any of the requirements above and providing the priest in charge (and the officiating priest) receive assurance that:
1. At least one of the couple are members of our church or of a church where they will eventually settle.
2. The new relationship did not begin before any previous marriage ended.
3. Both parties understand divorce is a breach of God’s will for marriage.
4. Both parties are determined to make the new marriage a lifelong, faithful partnership.
5. There is a mature understanding of why a previous marriage failed and an expression of repentance about past wrongs. (Official papers relating to a divorce may be asked for)
6. Appropriate arrangements have been made for any children of a previous marriage.
7. Where possible, every effort has been made to establish a good relationship with a previous marriage partner.
8. A sufficient amount of time has passed since the breakdown of a previous marriage.
We affirm the conscientious right of present and future members of our clergy team not to solemnize a marriage where one or both of the partners is divorced.
Holy Trinity Parochial Church Council
September 2008
The Sacrament of Baptism is administered here at Holy Trinity both to children and adults. We believe that it is a wonderful moment not only for the individual and their family, but also for us as a Christian Community. To this end Baptism takes place during the 1100hrs Parish Eucharist when the whole body of the Church is present to welcome the new member of the Church.
As the Parish Church, it is our privilege to Baptise the children of parents living in the parish. We also believe that we have the responsibility for Baptising the children of those who regularly worship here and who indicate their involvement with our congregation by being on our Church Electoral Roll.
In the case of adults, Baptism is normally administered at the same time as Confirmation.
Those with past connections with this Church – perhaps because they were married here, or because they have family still living or worshipping in the parish, or they themselves used to worship here – often wish the Baptism of their children to take place in Holy Trinity, even though they no longer live in the parish or worship here. We believe, however, that Baptism is not about a family’s past, but about the child’s future with God. We would wish to encourage past members of this church to have their children baptised in the Parish Church where they now live and where they will live out the Baptismal vows with their child.
We understand that this causes some disappointment, especially to grandparents. We hope that people in this position will understand that we have formulated this policy to affirm the new family that is being created and to encourage them to be involved with their own Parish Church and its ministry.
We have asked our clergy not to make exceptions to this practice, except in the case of those in HM Forces or those on fixed overseas contracts, whose normal home or place of worship is in this Parish.
Baptism is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God. We ask you to pray for those who have been Baptised in our church and for those who are seeking this Sacrament.
Holy Trinity Parochial Church Council
October 1993
Churchyard Regulations
All parishioners, non-parishioners whose names appear on the Church Electoral Roll, and non-residents who die in the parish, have a legal right to burial in the churchyard. For the burial of other non-parishioners the permission of the Incumbent and Churchwardens is required. The fee for the burial of a non-parishioner may be higher than that for a parishioner.
1. Procedure for the Introduction of Memorials
Permission must be obtained for the introduction of any memorial. Simple upright headstones in respect of burials may be authorised by the incumbent in accordance with the terms and conditions given below; but other types of memorial including grave markers such as horizontal ledgers, sculpture and crosses, must be authorised by the Chancellor under faculty. Applications for specially designed and appropriate memorials will be sympathetically considered by the Chancellor.
Every application to erect a memorial or place anything whatsoever or to do any works, in the churchyard should be made in writing to the incumbent, in the first instance, with a full description of the proposed work. Written permission to erect a memorial must be obtained from the incumbent before accepting an estimate or otherwise entering into a contract with a funeral director, stonemason or craftsman. A minimum period of six months should normally elapse between the interment of a person to be commemorated and the approval of a memorial by the incumbent (exercising delegated authority).
2. Dimensions of Headstone
Headstones should be no larger than 1200mm (4ft) high, measured from the surface of the ground, 900mm (3ft) wide and 150mm (6in) thick. They should be no less than 75mm (3in) thick (except in the case of slate memorials, which may be thinner but no less than 38 mm (1.5in) thick.) (The metric equivalents given are slightly less than Imperial dimensions, but are recommended for use by the National Association of Master Masons.)
3. Base and Foundation Slab
A headstone may stand on a stone base, provided that it is an integral part of the design and does not project more than 50 mm (2in) beyond the headstone in any direction. Due regard should be paid to the nature of the ground and the problem of settlement. Ideally headstones should be long enough to be inserted directly into the ground at sufficient depth to ensure stability, or supported by a pre-cast concrete shoe.
4. Materials
All memorials should be made of natural stone with non-reflecting finish, or of hardwood.
Black blue or red igneous rock ( e.g. red granite) and marble, synthetic stone or plastic are not permitted.
5. Sculpture
Figure sculpture and other statuary are not discouraged, but must be authorised by faculty.
6. Designs
Memorials need not be restricted to a rectangular shape, and curved tops are preferable to straight-edged ones. Memorials in the shape of a heart or book are not permitted other than by faculty, nor are photographs, porcelain portraits or glass shades. Individually designed memorials are to be encouraged.
7. Epitaphs
Inscriptions must be simple and reverent, and may include felicitous quotations from literary sources. Inscriptions should be incised, or in relief, and may be painted. Plastic or other inserted lettering is not permitted. Additions may be made to an inscription at a later date following a subsequent interment in the same grave or for other suitable reason.
However, any such alteration must be separately approved. The lettering, lay-out and wording must be consistent with the original inscription. The mason’s name may be inscribed at the side or on the reverse in unleaded letters, no larger than 13 mm (.5in).
8. Flowers
Wreaths, plants or cut flowers may be placed either in a removable container or laid on any grave, but they must be removed as soon as they appear to be withered. No artificial flowers are allowed except for Remembrance Day poppies and traditional Christmas wreaths and these should be removed after a period of not more than two months.
9. Churchyard Maintenance
It is greatly appreciated when relatives care for graves for which they have a responsibility , but in order to facilitate mowing and the general care of the churchyard the following points must be observed:-
(i) Bulbs and small plants may be planted in the soil of the grave but not trees or shrubs and there should be no encroachment beyond the area of the grave as first dug which is usually no more than 30″ in width.
(ii) No kerbs, railings, fences or any other edging markers are permitted.
(iii) no stone chippings are allowed. .
(iv) The use of glass or other breakable containers for cut flowers is highly undesirable.
Any grave mounds remaining after twelve months will normally be levelled.
Memorials remain the property of the person or persons responsible for their erection, who are responsible for their maintenance.
These regulations are based on those issued by the Diocese of Oxford and have been adopted for local use by the Parochial Church Council. The full regulations as issued by Diocese of Oxford can be viewed here.