Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings, Blessings, Funeral and Memorial Services

Baptisms

Baptism (also known as Christening) has always been Christians' way of celebrating with an adult, or with the family of a child, the eternal love of God for them and the beginning of their lifelong response to this as part of a local church community an as a member of the worldwide Church.

In the Church of England, everyone has a right to be baptised (or to have their children baptised) in their local Parish Church or in the Church where they regularly worship.
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There is no charge for Baptisms at St Catherine’s Church if the baptism is part of our normal weekly pattern of services.  At other times, a charge may be made for use of our facilities, musicians and staffing. 
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​Please contact the Parish office, if you would like to arrange a baptism for you or your child.

Confirmations

Full membership of the Church of England is marked by being both baptised, and 'confirmed' as an adult or young person.

For some, baptism and confirmation take place in the same service; but for those who have been baptised as infants, their confirmation service provides the occasion for them to commit to the baptismal promises that were previously made on their behalf. 

During a confirmation service, a Bishop lays hands on each candidate and, as they commit to follow the way of Christ day by day, the Bishop prays that God's Spirit would rest on them, strengthen and equip them for a life of loving service.
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Confirmation candidates from St Catherine’s normally join candidates from across Southwark Diocese for an Easter confirmation service at Southwark Cathedral
 
Please contact the parish office, if you would like to inquire further about preparing for confirmation.

Weddings and Banns of Marriage

If you have a 'qualifying connection' to our parish, you can choose to be married in St Catherine’s Church.  We would be pleased to welcome you and to speak with you about making a service in our church part of your wedding plans.​​

We are also pleased to read banns of marriage in St Catherine’s church if this is required to allow you to marry in another Church of England church.​
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Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to inquire about getting married in St Catherine’s Church or having your banns of marriage read here.
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We very much regret that the Church of England does not yet allow us to offer equal marriage to same sex couples. We will continue to campaign actively for the Church to offer this.​

Blessings

If you have had a civil marriage in the UK or if you married abroad, you may like to have your wedding blessed in a service at St Catherine’s Church.​​​

We sorry that the Church of England does not yet allow us to offer a separate blessing services to same sex couples. 
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Please contact the parish office if you would like to inquire further about a Blessing.

Funerals and Memorial Services

Funeral Services and Memorial Services can be arranged for people who lived in the Parish at any time, or who had some other connection with St Catherine’s Church.

Our clergy are available for Funeral Services that take place at St Catherine’s Church or a crematorium or a cemetery.
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Please contact the parish office or the vicar if you would like to inquire further about a funeral or memorial service.