Weddings, Baptisms & Funerals
Below you will find information on Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals with links to more information on the Church of England website. For more information or to discuss availability please contact the Church office on 07835 879178 or email office@iverparishchurch.org.uk
Weddings
If you are visiting this page as a bride or groom, we are thrilled that you are considering getting married in one of our two beautiful church buildings and we look forward to working with you to make it a truly wonderful day and the start of a lifetime of happiness together.
A wedding ceremony marks the start of a marriage. All weddings, wherever they take place, are significant. They all mark a public witness to the love that two people have for each other but a church wedding, in our opinion is even more special, as a man and woman make their vows before God and seek his blessing on their marriage.
The concept of covenant between the couple reflects the relationship between God and the world. The idea of the ‘sacrament of marriage’ reflects the miracle of what God is doing in human lives as you both make the promises together in the Church.
Most people in the UK can be married by banns in their local church, but different rules apply to foreign nationals. However, it is recommended that all non-UK passport holders are married by Common Licence.
It is now also possible to be married in a church other than in the church in the parish where you live, if one or both of the couple has a ‘qualifying connection’ with another church. Please contact us to seek arrangements to be married in either of our churches.
In certain circumstances it may be possible for someone who has been divorced to be re-married in our parish, but this will require careful consultation with the vicar.
Information and advice about all aspects of getting married in the Church of England can be found on the excellent wedding website created by the Church of England: www.yourchurchwedding.org
Please contact us on 07835 879178 or office@iverparishchurch.org.uk if you have an enquiry.
We look forward to hearing from you as we help turn your dream into reality.
Baptisms
In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. In the Anglican Church it is common to baptise young children; this is sometimes known as Christening.
Baptism is a ‘sacrament’, a holy ritual to symbolise God’s love for us, in the Christian tradition that is traced back to Jesus himself being baptised in the river Jordan. Speak to us if you are considering baptism or would like to arrange a Christening for your child.
Our baptism services (both for adults and children) take place as part of our 10am Sunday service, normally on the 2nd Sunday of the month (except April, August and December)
More detailed information about christening and baptism is available on the website, please follow the relevant link below to find out more or contact Rachel on 07835 879178 or office@iverparishchurch.org.uk
Funerals
If you have recently lost a loved one, can we please start by offering our sympathy at this sad time. We are here to work with you to provide a fitting commemoration for you family member or friend.
A funeral is used to mark 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. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.
The funeral can take place in either of our church buildings and may be followed by a burial or a committal service and cremation at a local crematorium. Alternatively, our vicar can conduct one complete service at a local crematorium. The churchyard is closed (no new burial or cremated remain plots) but new plots for cremated remains only (no burials) are available in the Burial Ground (a civil cemetery owned and managed by the Parish Council), but to arrange this please contact the Parish Council direct on 01753 655331 or via email on assistantclerk@iverparishcouncil.gov.uk
Please visit the Church of England website for information on planning a funeral and the funeral service, and for a selection of comforting psalms and prayers.