Life Events

People often turn to the Church in times of great sorrow or joy. They want the Church with its priests to help them through difficult times or to place their personal joy in a wider God-centred context. In this parish, we are delighted when parishioners ask us to help with baptisms, weddings or funerals. We do all that we can to make each event personal and special to those involved, to help them with arrangements and administration and to bring the deeper and spiritual significance of these times to the surface.

Child being baptised whilst an older child watches

Baptisms

Before contacting us, we recommend that you first visit the Church of England’s website. We are happy to baptise any infant, child or adult who is resident in the parish. We may also be in a position to baptise those who have other connections with us.

Please speak to the Vicar in the first instance. Once it has been agreed that a baptism (Christening) service can take place we can guide you through the next stages.

Baptism can take place

at the 10.00 Parish Eucharist. This is Main Service of the week and is a Communion Service.
at the 11.45 Baptism Service. This service is baptism only and allows us to give our full attention to families who may be less familiar with church services. It takes about 30 minutes.

Weddings

Before contacting us, we recommend that you first visit the Church of England’s website YourChurchWedding.org. If you wish to get married in this parish, please contact the Vicar in the first instance. Once it has been agreed that a wedding service can take place we can guide you through the next stages.

It is also possible to get married and have your reception at the Monastery Chapel of the Community of the Resurrection. Please contact the community directly on 01924 483346 or visit their website.

If you are getting married in ‘A Church of England’ church elsewhere but live in the parish of Battyeford you will need to have your Banns read out at Christ the King.

Please contact the Vicar or email vicar@christ-the-king.co.uk

Wedding photos © Cream Photography

Funerals

Services at crematoria and public cemeteries are constrained in terms of time and music – barely 25 minutes. Funeral services or Memorial Services can take place at Christ the King before or after the committal service at a crematorium or cemetery. This allows more time to have the service you want, the liturgy and music you feel comfortable with and plenty of time for readings and tributes – and indeed silence and reflection. You should make your wishes known to the Funeral Directors who will contact the Church on your behalf.

Alternatively, you may contact the Vicar for further advice.

Pastoral Support

Christ the King has a very active Pastoral Ministry group. This group visits those who are house bound, the recently bereaved, those in hospital and any others who need some extra help and support at certain times.

Prayer

If you have a specific concern that you wish us to pray about, please do not hesitate to contact the Vicar or one of the pastoral group.

Memorial Services

Each year we hold a memorial service for the departed in early November. Invitations are sent to all those bereaved in the last three years but of course many people come back each year. This is a very different service of music and quiet reflection. Many people derive great comfort from this service. Each week we also remember those who died at around that time. If you would like a name added to our Remembrance list please contact the Vicar.

Christ the King Battyeford