the parish

What are the qualifications for getting married in the parish?

The right to be married in a church depends upon one of three qualifications, either

1. That one of the couple lives within the parish boundary. A quick telephone call to our parish office 

  (0121 705 5350 - Mon-Thur : 9am-1pm, Fri : 9am-12 noon) will clarify this possibility, or

2. That the names of the couple are entered onto the Church Electoral Roll. This will mean that if you are

  not already on it you will need to become a frequent worshipper (at least twice monthly) for at

  least six months before your name can be entered onto the Roll. You should 'sign in' each time you

  come (a wedding can be booked before you are on the electoral Roll), or

3. That one of the couple can establish a 'qualifying connection'. Grounds are as follows:

That the applicant was baptised or confirmed in the Parish, used to reside in the Parish or habitually attended public worship within the Parish.That one or both of the applicant's parents used to reside in the Parish or habitually attended public worship within the Parish.That the parent or grandparent of the applicnt was married within the Parish.

What if one or both have been married before and are divorced?

The usual pattern is that following an interview with the Rector it may be possible to arrange for a service of dedication following a civil ceremony, either on the day of the civil marriage or at a later date. We are very happy to discuss this further but please, do not assume that because you have arranged a day/time for the civil ceremony we can automatically meet your needs. Again, early contact is advisable.

WHICHEVER OPTION YOU MAY DECIDE TO FOLLOW, PLEASE MAKE NO ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING DATES OR HOTELS BEFORE CONTACTING THE PARISH OFFICE.

Can you outline the basic process?

1. Telephone the parish secretary for any general enquiries - 0121 705 5350, Mon¬-Thur : 9am – 1pm,

  Fri : 9am - 12 noon.

2. If it appears that one of you is resident in the Parish, is on the electoral roll, or may be eligible to be

  admitted to the roll, you will be asked to complete an application form and forward a non-

  refundable deposit of £100. An appointment will then be made for you as a couple to have an

  initial interview with the Rector, Fr Tim.

3. If it appears that one of you does not fulfil the criteria above but may have a qualifying connection, the

  appropriate forms will be sent to you. You should complete these and return them to the Parish

  Office with any required documentation. When these have been considered, you will be informed

  whether you have established a qualifying connection. If so, you will be asked to forward a non-

  refundable deposit of £100, and an initial interview with Fr Tim will be arranged.

4. At the initial interview, you will be given a wedding pack which will explain the further steps and

  contain all relevant paperwork.

5. The relevant documents should be returned to the parish office.

6. It is expected that couples wishing to be married in St Alphege will want to get to know the Christian

  community, begin worshipping regularly, and so become members of our community.

7. Six months prior to your wedding it is your responsibility to contact the parish secretary to arrange an

  appointment to meet with the priest who will preside at the service. The balance of monies due

  should be paid one month before the wedding. The priest will go through the service in detail and

  arrange for a rehearsal in church a few days before your wedding day. At the rehearsal you should

  bring with you, where relevant, a Certificate of Banns of Marriage, signed by the priest in whose

  parish they have been called. (This will have been explained at the initial interview: do not leave it

  until the last minute. When this is required by law, we cannot marry you without this

  documentation).

ST ALPHEGE

Sundays

8.00am Holy Eucharist (said)

9.15am Parish Eucharist & Sunday Club (2nd Sunday : All-age Eucharist)

Plus on 4th Sunday 'easy' in OBH rejoining Parish Eucharist at communion

11.00am Sung Eucharist

(traditional language)

6.30pm (except 4th Sunday)

Choral Evensong

6.30pm (4th Sunday)

Congregational Evensong

Plus at 6.00pm (1st Sunday)

‘the space’ – informal parish worship

(in the Oliver Bird Hall)

Weekday Eucharists

Monday 9.30am

Tuesday 9.30am

Wednesday 10.15am

Thursday 10.30am

  1st in month - Healing

  3rd in month - Mothers' Union

  Corporate Eucharist

Saturday 9.30am

Daily Morning Prayer

Mon-Sat 9.00am

(Wednesday 8.30am in term time)

ST HELEN

Sundays

8.00am Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer)

10.00am Parish Eucharist and Sunday Club 3rd Sunday : All-age worship (non-eucharistic)

6.30pm Evening Worship in Chapel

6.30pm (2nd Sunday) Wholeness and Healing service in Chapel.

Weekday Eucharist

Friday 10.00am

ST MICHAEL

Sundays

10.30am Holy Eucharist and Sunday Club (Sharmans Cross School)

10.30am (2nd Sunday) All-age worship (Sharmans Cross School).

4.30pm (2nd Sunday) Holy Communion (St Michael's Chapel).

Weekday Eucharist

Wednesday 10.00am at Oak Cottage