SERVICES
Baptisms
Baptisms
In the sacrament of baptism, (sometimes referred to as Christening) we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. Through prayer, anointing with oil, and the pouring of water over the head, God's love and the power of his Holy Spirit are given to the newly baptised, who enters into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Christian baptism can be traced back to Jesus' own baptism in the River Jordan, and his command to baptise new followers.
In the Frome Valley Group, baptisms take place in accordance with Church Law which states that baptisms should be carried out ‘on Sundays at public worship when the most number of people come together’ (Canon B21) This means that we can incorporate a baptism into one of our existing services or during a separate Sunday afternoon service if necessary. Everyone has the right to be baptised in the parish church of the parish in which they live. Additionally, if you live in one of the eight parishes of the Frome Valley Group, you can be baptised in any one of our 8 churches. Those with connections to our Churches who do not live within the group of parishes must first speak to their own parish priest and seek their consent before we are able to baptise them within the Frome Valley Group.
To discuss booking a baptism, please call the parish office on 01885 490229. One of the clergy will then arrange to meet with you, help prepare you for the service and answer any questions you may have.
There is no charge for a baptism although a collection is usually taken towards the upkeep and ministry of the Church.
Confirmation
Confirmation is an occasion for people who have been baptised as infants to affirm that faith for themselves. Through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live the life of discipleship. Alternatively, teenagers and adults who have never been baptised and who wish to make a commitment to the Christian faith are normally baptised and confirmed at the same time.
Those who are confirmed are normally admitted to Holy Communion for the first time either during the confirmation service or on the following Sunday.
If you are interested in being confirmed, please contact the parish office on 01885 490229.
Weddings
Weddings
We would be delighted to help you celebrate your wedding. If you live within any one of our parishes you have a legal right to be married here. There are also other ways in which you can qualify to get married in one of our churches if one of you:
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has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
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was baptised in the parish concerned or
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was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
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has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
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has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
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has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
That one of your parents or grandparents:
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was married in the parish
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. Even if you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, we want to help you explore whether it may still be possible for you to marry in your special church.
Talk to the Vicar well in advance to discuss the options open to you.
To book a wedding or to discuss your particular circumstances please contact the vicar on 01885 490582
Caring for your loved one's grave
Fresh flowers are a symbol of God’s creation and you are welcome to place flowers on the grave of your loved one at any time. Plastic flowers are not appropriate and we would ask that you please refrain from using them with the exception of Remembrance Day poppies and Christmas wreaths, both of which should be removed after one month.
Temporary grave markers are often placed by Funeral Directors to identify the position of a new grave. These markers should be removed by your monumental mason when a permanent memorial has been set in place. Temporary grave markers should not be used in place of permanent markers.
Any additional items around graves make the upkeep of the Churchyard difficult for those who work hard to keep our Churches looking tidy. Please try and help us by following these guidelines so that the Churchyards can be enjoyed by all those who visit them.
Rev’d Steven Baggs
Vicar
Funerals & Interment of Ashes
A funeral marks the end of a person's life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God's keeping. As Christians we believe that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is new life in Jesus after death. This faith is expressed through the hymns and prayers of the funeral service.
If you are visiting these pages after suffering a bereavement, we would like to offer our condolences. You may have already been in touch with a funeral director; if not, here are the contact details for local funeral directors;
Emma Bouston Funeral Services - 01885 489900
3 New Road
Bromyard
Herefordshire
HR7 4AH
H.H. Handley (Co-Operative Funeralcare) - 01885 477114
3 Little Hereford Street
Bromyard
Herefordshire
HR7 4DE
Other companies are available and we will be happy to work with them.
Anyone who has lived in the parishes of the Frome Valley can have their funeral service in one of our churches. and then have a burial or have their ashes buried in the garden of remembrance.
Once your funeral director has contacted us to arrange a date for the funeral service you are organising, the priest who will be taking the service will be in touch with you. He or she will then discuss the content of the service with you in more detail.
Please be assured of our prayers at this difficult time. The names of all those who have died recently are remembered at each service within our group.
Burial in our churchyards
All of the churchyards in the Frome Valley Group of Churches have open graveyards that can be used for both burials and interments of ashes of those who reside in the parish or are on the electoral roll of the Church. The Vicar also has some discretion as to who can be buried in the Churchyard and will consider applications from those with a local connection and those who already have family members buried in the Churchyard.
Erecting a permanent memorial
When considering a memorial stone you should in the first instance contact a monumental mason who will help you select a type of stone in accordance with the Diocesan Churchyard Regulations. The memorial will also need to comply with size, shape and colour restrictions of lettering etc. This is to ensure that any memorial is in keeping with the rest of the Churchyard.
Inscriptions likewise need to be simple, reverent and appropriate. The purpose of the inscription is to identify the resting place of the person’s mortal remains.
When you have decided what type of stone you would like the monumental mason will apply to the Vicar for permission to go ahead and place the memorial.
Please note: Under no circumstances should a memorial be ordered via the internet and placed without permission.