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.

“Marriage is an important part of Christian life. Making your vows before God focuses your mind on the seriousness of your promise to each other; and of the enduring nature of love, and is a profound statement of commitment.

Even if you are not churchgoers, you may want to get married in church, receive a blessing on a registry office marriage, or renew your vows as a gesture of your continuing love for each other.

Christ Church provides a beautiful traditional setting for the day; with the Vicarage Room and Garden next door enabling a small celebration at the church after the ceremony.

Everybody is entitled to a funeral in church.

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.