the parish

Falling in love is a very human experience. But when we decide to make lifelong promises in church, we are making a commitment not only between ourselves, our family and friends, but in the sight of God.

 We are pledging ourselves to unconditional love, and for life. This is a daunting task, but God offers us his own supreme love to strengthen and sustain us, to make this love possible. This is what lies at the heart of Christian marriage, which is why marriage is one of the seven sacred and special events of the Church known as SACRAMENTS. When we consecrate that love in Christian marriage our love becomes a sign of God's love to the world. Christians may wish to celebrate their marriage within a celebration of the eucharist, often known as a 'nuptial mass'.

This is why faithfulness matters

Following the words of Jesus himself, the Church teaches very strongly that marriage is for life, and for two very basic reasons, the first practical, the second spiritual:

From a practical view the one thing all human beings need above all else is security in love; children especially need a loving, secure home.The spiritual reason is that by learning to live faithfully and unselfishly in hard times as well as in good, we are actually deepening our humanity by learning to love as God loves, growing in his image and preparing to share in his life after physical death.

If you would like to explore further the meaning of Christian marriage we would be very willing to talk with you. The fact that you may have been living with a partner for several years, or that you may have children, should not be seen as reasons not to explore Christian marriage further by making an initial telephone call to the parish secretary.

Divorce and re-marriage

Whilst the Church teaches very strongly that marriage is for life we recognize that some marriages, sadly, will reach a point of irretrievable breakdown. For many this can be a very painful experience and the Church wants to offer support, welcome and the comfort of fellowship and worship. Yet because the nature of the marriage vows speak of "till death us do part", usually second marriages do not take place in Church, but may be followed by a service of dedication following a civil ceremony. These can be truly joyous celebrations with choir and bells. As a parish we are happy to explore this further with couples and offer it as a possibility following an interview with the Rector. (For details such as the renewal of Marriage Vows within a service of thanksgiving e.g. a 'silver' wedding and a short service for the blessing of new wedding rings, click to Personal Celebrations).

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