BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS
Baptism:
We’re delighted you’re thinking of baptising your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. In baptism of babies or children, you, as parents, are thanking God for the gift of life, and making a decision to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church’s support. In baptism you promise to raise your child to know God loves them and be part of the Church family.
Baptism takes place at a church service, almost always at the Sunday 10.30am service. You are making promises on behalf of your child and the church promises in response to help support you. It is a time of celebration for you and your family and friends, but it is also a sacrament of the Church and so needs prior agreement by the Elders and Church Meeting.
The Church also offers Baptism of adults on profession of their faith in Jesus.
We can also offer similar Naming and Blessing services which are not Baptism but are celebrating the gift of life.
In the first instance please contact the minister, Rev Naomi Young-Rodas at:
[email protected] or on 07555 705530
Weddings:
Congratulations that you are looking at getting married! Your wedding day is an important stage in your life together and we believe that God wants to bless you. Though definitely a religious ceremony, a wedding service at The Bridgwater Drive Church can be tailored to reflect your individual requirements.
As a first step please talk to our minister to establish your general requirements and date availability. You will need to obtain a valid marriage licence from the registration office in Southend in good time. Parts of the service are required by law and legally you would need to live in the Southend area, or be able to affirm that you worship at Bridgwater Drive. We no longer have an authorised person to complete the legal marriage register, so you would need to arrange and pay a small fee for this to be done, OR conduct the legal ceremony at the Registry Office and then come to us for the church service.
We believe in new starts. Marriages can fail for a variety of reasons and if either of you has been divorced there is no barrier to a celebrating your love and commitment by being married at Bridgwater Drive.
If you have been married overseas or in a registry office you may want a blessing of marriage service. We can also do that. You can invite friends and family unable to be present at your original service. This service would normally follow the pattern of a wedding service (with any changes that are suitable), but without the legal requirement.
We are proud to be a welcoming and inclusive church and hope to soon be registered for same-sex marriage. In the meantime, if you meet the legal requirements you can talk to our minister about a service at Christ Church URC in Rayleigh which is already registered.
Renewal of Vows
Whether it is a special anniversary or ‘just’ the right moment in time, you may want a service of recommitment and celebration. A Renewal of Wedding Vows service is a declaration of continuing or renewed love. In a society that doesn’t always value commitment, a couple managing to stay together through thick and thin deserves some celebration.
To discuss any of these services please contact the minister in the first instance at:
[email protected] or on 07555 705530
Funerals
Funerals can be conducted for church members and their families. Funerals for non-members could be conducted by arrangement with the minister either at the Church and/or at Southend Crematorium. Please note the church has no burial facilities.
In conjunction with a funeral director, in the first instance please contact the minister at:
[email protected] or on 07555 705530