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 our priest-in-charge 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. What happens during Sunday morning Parish Communion?

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
Generally couples can have their marriage service (wedding) at St Paul's if one of the couple resides in the parish or is on our electoral roll. We do carry out marriage of some divorcees at St Paul's, though this will depend on your particular circumstances which will be discussed with you. If the marriage does not take place in church you will be most welcome to have a service of Dedication and Thanksgiving at St Paul's instead. Which parish do I live in?

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. What happens during Sunday morning Parish Communion?

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