It is our privilege as Christians to share in moments of joy and sadness that mark the journey of our lives.
Weddings
Can we get married in Dedham or Ardleigh Parish Church?
If you currently live in either of the parishes you can be married here. If either of you has been married previously please contact the office to discuss your options.
What if we don't live in the parish?
A couple can marry in a church away from where they live because it has special significance for them through family or other connections. To do this one of the couple needs to be able to demonstrate one of the connections with the parish listed below ( called a qualifying connection).
A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if
that person:
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was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation);
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had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish, or
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has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months, or
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has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months (if you haven't started to worship in the parish you can commit to doing so before your wedding takes place. This needs to be at least 8 months before your wedding date)
or a Parent of that person has at any time during that person's lifetime:
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had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
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habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
In the first instance please do get in touch with the office to discuss your plans.
Funerals
Please contact the office or the minister if you would like to arrange a funeral in either of our churches.
We also have a small group of people who offer bereavement support and they can be contacted via the office.
Baptisms
Baptisms, also known as Christenings, give you as parents the opportunity to give thanks to God for the birth of your child and welcome them into the wider family of the church.
Please get in touch with the office and then a member of the clergy team will normally visit to discuss the options with you and your family. You will also be invited to some preparation where we will explore the meaning of the baptism service with you. We also offer a service of thanksgiving. All baptisms and thanksgivings are part of our normal Sunday services.
If you live in a different parish we would always encourage you in the first instance to explore having the service in that church, as we believe connecting with your local church gives you the best opportunity to experience the welcome and support of the Christian community and to live out the promises that you will be making as parents and godparents.
You can find more information on the Church of England website: http://churchofenglandchristenings.org/
Confirmation
Confirmation Services offer people an opportunity to affirm the faith of their baptism and their desire to live that out publicly and in the fellowship of the Church. These services normally happen once a year in our Deanery and are lead by the local Bishop, the Area Bishop of Colchester. Those seeking confirmation will be invited to some preparation where we will explore the Christian faith in some depth with you. Please contact the office for more details.