Baptisms
At St Mary’s we are delighted to offer baptism services for babies, children, or adults, as appropriate. Baptism marks an exciting beginning in a person’s journey of faith, and is always a chance for celebrations. Before this, we invite candidates / their parents to embark on some thoughtful consideration of what it means to be baptised into the Christian faith and the promises that will be made.
You are never too young or too old to start a journey of faith.
A Christening is the same as a Baptism, and it is an outward sign in the form of a special service in the church, where people make a commitment to follow Jesus. If a young child is being christened, adults will make promises on their behalf to help them on their journey of faith, learning about Jesus. When they get older they can confirm that they make these promises for themselves, at a service of Confirmation. All baptisms and thanksgiving services are conducted at one of our main services on a Sunday morning.
If you feel you would prefer a Thanksgiving or Dedication service this is a special time for families to come together and thank God for a new member of their family. Promises are made by the family and friends to love and support that person on their journey of faith.
You will be invited to attend some baptism preparation classes and we would encourage you if possible to come and enjoy being part of some of our services to get to know the church family and we hope you will want to continue being part of our church family. This is important because at a baptism service, parents and godparents promise that they will help the child to grow up within the church family, so you need to have met us, and got to know us a bit, in order to make these promises. When we meet it gives us all an opportunity to think seriously about the baptismal promises and to ensure that you and the godparents feel able to make them. Godparents do need to have been baptised themselves if they are to take on the role of godparent.
Once we have met and talked the service and important promises through together, we then need to find a date for the baptism. Our baptisms usually take place on either the first Sunday ( Family Communion) or second Sunday ( Church Family Praise
If you are interested in a baptism for yourself or your child, Lisa Gibbs-Murray email and contact number.
Weddings
There is something really special about a church wedding.
The service combines all the elements of a beautiful venue, the much-loved traditional words and vows, and lots of opportunity for you to make the service really personal for you. There are requirements for being married in a parish church, so do look at the church of England website ( see below). It is also a time to grow spiritually as you attend church and belong to the worshipping life of the church. Do take a look at the Church of England website for weddings. https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding
If you are interested in getting married at St Mary’s Hartfield; Holy Trinity Coleman’s Hatch or St Mary Magdalene Cowden. Please contact Lisa Gibbs Murray admsht@gmail.com, 07927 939116
Funerals
The loss of a loved one is very distressing, but an appropriate and dignified funeral can bring some comfort.
The Church of England funeral service provides a fitting tribute to your loved one and the message of hope that we have through Jesus Christ. We will always meet with you to offer support both in your grief and in planning a service that is personal and meaningful for you.
We are happy to take funeral services in any of our churches or the local crematoriums. If you are in the parish, we are also able to do burial in our churchyards or an interment of ashes.
If you would like to arrange a funeral in one of our churches, or would like a church minister to take a funeral for you at a crematorium, ask your funeral director to contact Lisa Gibbs Murray on admsmht@gmail.com or 07927 939116.
If it is out of her office hours please contact Donna Dewar on dewardonna@googlemail.com or 01342 326424.
Or Rev Stephen Hills on hills.rectory@yahoo.co.uk or 07896 971723
In an emergency please contact one of our churchwardens, Matt Marriott on studio4.121@outlook.com or 07582 054880
You may also find the Church of England site helpful www.churchofenglandfunerals.org
