Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals

Enquiries

If you'd like to enquire about having a

• Holy Baptism,
• Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child,
  
  
• Marriage,
• Dedication and Thanksgiving for Marriage,
• calling of Banns,
• Renewal of Marriage Vows,
  
  
• Funeral,
• Memorial Service

at St Paul's, please begin by ringing the vicarage and speaking to Fr Michael about your particular circumstances.

Baptism
Baptism, sometimes called a christening when applied to young children, is our entry into God's church (more info). The baptism can take place either during the main Sunday morning communion service or as a separate private service.

Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child
This is different to a baptism, though it may precede it. It can for example be appropriate if parents have not asked for a baptism but the family would still like to give thanks for their new child. A fuller explanation may be found here.

Marriage
Couples can marry at St Paul's if any of the following is true:

• one of the couple:
• has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• was baptised in the parish concerned or
• was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
• has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
• one of the couple's parents, at any time after they 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 or
• one of the couples parents or grandparents:
• was married in the parish

Which parish do I live in?

We often carry out marriage of divorcees at St Paul's, though this will depend on your particular circumstances which will be discussed with you. When marriages do not take place in church, couples are very welcome to have their marriage blessed at a service of Dedication and Thanksgiving at St Paul's instead.

Dedication and Thanksgiving for Marriage
This is sometimes known as a 'marriage blessing', and usually follows a civil marriage ceremony.

The Calling of Banns
To fulfill legal requirements, the intention to marry is announced in church on three Sundays. Most couples like to attend church on those Sundays to hear their banns being read.

Renewal of Marriage Vows
Some couples like to mark a special occasion, such as a major wedding anniversary, by repeating and re-affirming their wedding vows to one another.

Funeral
Every person living within the parish has the right to have their funeral at St Paul's, regardless of whether they have any prior connection with the church or not. If you would like to have a church funeral for your loved one, make your wishes known to the undertaker. If it is appropriate for a particular family, especially where the deceased has been a regular communicant, the funeral service can be incorporated into a celebration of Holy Communion. Which parish did my loved one live in?

Memorial Service
There can be many reasons to hold a memorial service: they are sometimes requested by families in addition to a funeral, or when a funeral has taken place far away, or when it is not possible to bury the deceased. The priest will help you to find a form of memorial service to suit your needs.

Annual Ecumenical Memorial Service
There is a regular memorial service each year in early November, which all who are rececently bereaved are invited to attend. You can request beforehand for a deceased loved one to be prayed for by name during the service.

Commemoration of All Souls
We usually hold a Requiem Eucharist (Holy Communion) for departed loved ones on All Souls Day, 2nd November. Again, if you are attending this service you can request beforehand for a deceased loved one to be prayed for by name.

Which parish do I live in?

Map of the Parish of St Paul, Egham Hythe