Christ Church and St John

When a person, whether an infant, child or adult, comes to Baptism we celebrate and recognise that they are part of God’s family and offer thanks to God for that person’s presence in our lives. The person to be baptised, or their parents and godparents, declare their faith and make promises to God. The candidate is then baptised by having water poured over their head.

Baptisms take place on one Sunday each month during the 11.00am Parish Eucharist. If you are interested in baptism for you or your child you should either live in the parish or be a regular member of the congregation. Please get in touch with the parish office who will arrange for one of the clergy team to contact you to arrange a visit to discuss your commitment to the Christian faith .

Children over the age of 7 who regularly attend church are invited to attend a course about Holy Communion. This course is offered once a year and ends with a special service in which the children receive communion for the first time. Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

Confirmation is when a baptised person confirms the promises they made, or were made on their behalf, at baptism. The candidate will declare their faith and vow to turn from evil and to turn to Christ. The bishop then lays his hands on their head to admit them as full members of the Church.

There are are two confirmation services each year in our deanery. Our parish offer a course of preparation for adults and children over the age of 14. Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

At Christ Church and St John’s we appreciate that some people wish to be married in church. Making your vows before God adds an important dimension to your marriage. We will aim to make your wedding day a day to remember.

If you would like to be married in either of our churches you must live within the parish. Please contact the Parish Office for further information. One of the clergy will contact you to discuss your requirements and will offer preparation to help you think about marriage from a spiritual perspective.

If your relative or friend has died and you would like the funeral service to take place in either Christ Church or St John’s, please contact the Parish Office or the Vicar or ask the funeral director to contact us directly.

If you would like to discuss or pray about a pastoral or spiritual issue you are faced with, please contact any member of the clergy team. Alternatively, please leave a message with the Parish Office and somebody will be in touch.