THE UNITED BENEFICE OF ORSETT, BULPHAN and HORNDON-ON-THE-HILL

INFORMATION SHEET

Enquiries regarding marriages should be made in the first place to weddings@hobnob.org.uk

Marriage:

Marriage in Church is different to marriage in a Registry Office or in another Licensed building. Marriage in Church is about accepting the importance of God in your lives and in your future together. It is not about hiring a pretty venue, although our three churches are very pretty for a wedding.

Legally, a couple may only be married in a Church of England Church if one or both of them live in the parish where they wish to be married, or if they are regular, baptised worshippers at the Church. In practice this would mean worshipping two or three times a month at the Church of your choice, beginning at least a year prior to the date of your marriage. A couple who stop coming cannot legally be married there.

Baptism/Christening:

Christening is the Old English word for baptism. It means "being made Christ’s". In baptism we join God’s Family, the Church and promise to follow Christ’s teaching and join in the regular worship of the Church. God promises us that He will forgive us our sins and be there for us in every part of our lives.

A priest must baptise everyone in their parish who asks in all sincerity for baptism, though we may require the person, or a child’s parents to attend appropriate preparation.

Baptism may take place in the regular morning service or on a Sunday afternoon. Children baptised in the afternoon are welcomed by the regular congregation in a morning service prior to the Christening.

Older children will be expected to attend one or more classes to explain why they are being baptised. Secondary age children and adults are encouraged to join a Confirmation class and will be baptised by the bishop at the time of their Confirmation.

Children living outside the parish may be baptised at the discretion of the parish priest, if there is a strong reason for it, and their own parish priest gives permission.

Thanksgiving for the birth/adoption of a child:

This service is not used much these days, though it can be a very nice small family occasion if

  • a baptism is to be delayed,
  • if your adopted child has already been baptised,
  • if baby had to be baptised in hospital,
  • or you feel that baptism should be your child’s choice when they are old enough to make their own decision.

    It is important not to confuse it with baptism, and, in the latter case, to ensure your child knows that he or she has not been baptised, in order to avoid embarrassment at a later date.

    For further details please contact the Rector at:

    The Rectory
    Orsett. RM16 3JT
    Tel: 01375 891254