LIFE JOURNEY
At St Augustine's we seek to support every person who has any form of need, both members of the church and those who are not. Along with other activities, here below are some of the ways we will welcome and support you and your loved ones.
Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament, a visible sign of God’s love for us. In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. It marks a new beginning; a decision to follow Jesus Christ within the family of the Church.
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The Church of England has always been unapologetic about baptising babies and children. This is because baptism is primarily about what God does for us: before we can say anything, or believe the right things, or act in a particular way, God already loves us and reaches out to bring us to share in his love. The faith that follows, and in which parents and godparents and the wider Church promise to help the person being baptised grow up, is always a response to the fact that God first loves us, and is not a precondition for earning that love.
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For more details contact us or fill out the form Baptism Application form in Word or as a PDF if you are seeking for the baptism of your child.
Confirmation
Belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is at the heart of Christian faith. We believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus reveals to us that God is our Father, and that God loves us and is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
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Confirmation is a time one declares their personal faith in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Even if you don’t completely understand all this, you will be supported and helped on your journey of faith through confirmation preparations and beyond, especially you are known and loved by God, and worthy of your loving in return.
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To learn more about whether you or your family member need to be confirmed speak to the Churchwardens.
Marriage
The Bible often uses the metaphor of marriage to talk about the relationship between God and his people. In fact, one of the most frequently used images for heaven is that of a marriage feast, when God’s people will be brought to perfect union with him. The Church of England marriage service describes marriage as ‘a gift of God in creation’.
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The Church calls marriage a sacrament because it has long recognised that in the unconditional commitment and faithfulness of the partners in marriage to each other, something of the love and faithfulness of God is made visible. So marriage is both a joyous and a serious undertaking.
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If you’re wondering if you can get married at St Augustine's, please contact us.
Funeral
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God's keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.​ Everyone is entitled to either a burial or cremation service (funeral) or to have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard by their local parish priest regardless of whether they attended church or not.
So, at St Augustine Church we are here to serve you in your time of sadness. Each person is unique – in personality and life experience. A Church of England funeral allows you to give thanks for the unique person you knew and loved in a way that gives comfort and hope.
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For more information contact the Churchwardens.
