Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
We believe church is about sharing together, both in celebration and in grief.
Baptism (Christening) & Thanksgiving
The arrival of a new child is a time of great joy and celebration. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. You want the very best for them, and so does God. God offers His presence to every person from birth. A child’s journey in Christian faith begins with their formal welcome into the family of God (the church) and involvement afterwards.
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The birth or adoption of a child is a great cause for celebration; many parents want to express their thanks to God at this time. This service provides an opportunity for parents and families to give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and to pray for their family life. The child’s name is publicly affirmed and we pray for God’s blessing upon them. A thanksgiving does not involve the public declaration of personal faith in Jesus Christ or the formal appointment of Godparents. However, we would encourage you to choose some supporting friends who will have a similar role to Godparents in supporting and helping you in the upbringing of your child. They will stand by you in the service.
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Baptism is the beginning of a journey in the Christian faith and a formal welcome into the family of God (the church). It is a joyful moment when parents and Godparents make significant promises to God on behalf of the child and declare their own commitment to the Christian faith. The wider community of the local church and friends/relatives also welcome the new member of God’s family, promising support and prayer for the future. While some church denominations only baptise adults, the Church of England baptises infants on the understanding that their parents are believing, practising Christians and that they are brought up as Christians within the family of the local church. This is why parents and Godparents are invited to publicly affirm their personal faith in Jesus Christ.
For more detailed information, please visit https://churchofenglandchristenings.org
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As well as joining us for Sunday worship, those considering infant baptism will need to attend two baptism preparation sessions, which are held on a rolling basis. In these relaxed sessions, we explore the meaning of baptism and what this act of Christian commitment will mean for you and your child. Attending these sessions does not commit you to choose baptism. You may want to come along to investigate further, before making a decision – having considered both the services of thanksgiving and baptism. These sessions are open to parents, other members of the family and potential Godparents who may also find them helpful. Members of the church and staff team facilitate these sessions. Both sessions are held at the Dell Centre next to St Giles' Church, 8pm - 9pm, on the first Monday of the month, unless there is a bank holiday, in which case it would be the second Monday of the month instead. All are welcome to join in. There’s no need to book, but please do let us know if you are intending to come. Thank you.
If you would like to find out more, please contact us. We will be pleased to hear from you and advise you of the next steps
Weddings
We’re delighted that you’re considering getting married in St Giles’ or St George's church. Marrying before God in church, with your family and friends in attendance, is personal, meaningful and beautiful. Churches are special and unique places to be married in - the promises, the prayers, the address, the music and the whole service of celebration become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond. It is a privilege and joy for us to journey with you and conduct your wedding.
To be married in a Church of England church, one of the following criteria must be fulfilled:
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lives in the parish or
is on the church’s electoral roll or
has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
has regularly gone to normal church services in St Giles’ or St George’s for a period of at least six months or
was baptised in the parish or
was prepared for confirmation in the parish
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(at any time after you were born)
has lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in St Giles’ or St George’s for a period of at least six months
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was married in the parish
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Following the guidelines issued by the House of Bishops, enquiries from couples wishing to remarry after divorce are welcomed.
Our Dell Centre, next to St Giles’ Church, is perfect for your wedding reception. We offer free parking, well-equipped commercial kitchens, use of tables & chairs and, most of all, a warm and friendly staff ready to welcome you!
We’d love to talk to you about your wedding reception, please call us on 01372 813964 or email us at reception@ashteadparish.org.
Funerals
A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for family and friends to mourn, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world, to commend the person into God's keeping and to receive His comfort.
We understand that a bereavement is a deeply upsetting time and we aim to support you as well as organising a funeral sensitively and efficiently. We will work to ensure that either one of the clergy or our Licensed Lay Ministers (Reader’s) is available to meet with you and to conduct the funeral service of a loved one.
These services can take place either in St Giles’ or St George’s church, or a local crematorium or cemetery provided the deceased is an Ashtead resident or has a qualifying pastoral connection to the parish. Please contact us for more details using the button below or by calling the Parish Office directly on 01372 813332.
Adult/Youth Baptism & Confirmation
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If you’ve come to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and saviour, and if you haven’t been baptised as a child or as an adult before, then a next step is to be baptised. This is because Jesus was baptised and invites everyone who follows Him as a disciple to be baptised. Baptism is the public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and marks the formal beginning of the journey of a committed Christian. It is an amazing moment for the individual, their friends and relations and for the whole church family. Following a relaxed and structured short preparation course, you can be baptised within a Sunday service. If you were baptised as a baby or as an adult before, you’re invited to renew the baptismal vows made for you in our annual service of confirmation. As a church, we offer parallel preparation courses for teenagers and adults.
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Confirmation is a special church service in which a person confirms the promises that were made when they were baptised. If you were baptised at a christening when you were a child, your parents and Godparents made these promises on your behalf. As a teenager or adult, you may be ready to affirm these promises for yourself and commit your life to following Jesus Christ. At a confirmation service, you make these promises for yourself. Your friends and family, as well as members of the church family, will be present and promise to support and pray for you. Through being confirmed, you also demonstrate your commitment to your local church. Confirmation is a wonderful service of celebration.
Representing the worldwide church, one of our bishops will conduct this annual service held in St George’s. In the service, you’ll renew your baptismal vows, and the bishop will lay their hands on your head and ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you the strength and commitment to live God’s way for the rest of your life. All candidates for confirmation are required to participate in a preparation course. As a church, we offer parallel preparation courses for teenagers and adults.