Life Events
‘Learning to live in the light of God’s love’
Life Events
Baptisms
No person is too old or too young to be baptised in our churches, and there is no charge for baptism.
Weddings
We are delighted to welcome couples for their wedding in any of our churches within the benefice. We will do everything we can to help make it a truly special and memorable occasion.
Funerals
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person’s life. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks and commend them into God’s keeping.
Baptisms
Baptisms at Beacon Benefice
No person is too old or too young to be baptised in our churches, and there is no charge for baptism. Jesus
offers his free gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all people who believe in him and decide to follow
him as their Lord and Saviour.
Adults: Thinking about being baptised yourself? Please get in touch so we can explore what this means to you,
pray for you and support you as you take this meaningful step of faith. You may already have a sponsor in
mind to help guide you in your faith, but we will also be delighted to encourage you and share this journey
with you, every step of the way.
Children: In the baptism of young children, our churches will be only too happy to support you as parents as you
thank God for his gift of life and decide to start the child on the journey of faith. Of course, it is also our
hope that we can continue to support you and your child as we grow in faith together.
Get in touch…
Whether you’re exploring the possibility of a christening or whether you’ve already decided, the vicar will be delighted to hear from you to talk about it.
You can always have your child christened in your local church, and it’s good to make a connection locally so your child’s church family is close by. When you call the church, you may be able to book a date straightaway or someone may call back. You’ll meet the vicar with your child to talk through the service and to help answer any questions you may have.
Weddings
Historic and Beautiful: Our churches provide a stunning and meaningful setting for you and your guests, steeped in the history of generations.
Personal: In addition to the traditional words of the marriage service, you will have the opportunity to choose music, hymns, readings, and poems, and to involve members of your family and friends, making your wedding personal and special for you.
Supported: In preparation for your wedding, you will get to know the vicar taking your service as well as members of the congregation at the church, all of whom are here to support you during this wonderful time in your life.
‘In the presence of God’: The church provides a reverent and holy space where the importance of your marriage vows is recognized. A beautiful moment in the service is when you kneel and receive God’s blessing on your marriage.
Get in touch…
To enquire about being married in any of our churches, please contact Rev Helen Sammon, the Wedding Coordinator, at: weddings@beaconbenefice.com.
We will look at your provisional date, ask you to complete a Marriage Application form, and arrange a time for a phone call to start discussing your plans.
We will also invite you to a one-day Wedding Preparation Day, together with other couples getting married here, where we discuss all practical aspects of your church wedding, from legal forms to flowers. During the day, we think about what marriage means to you, review the words of the service, and you will meet your vicar. We serve a lovely homemade lunch, and in the afternoon, we have a ‘walk-through’ wedding and discuss music.
For more information about church weddings in general, with lots of great ideas and questions answered, click the button.
Funerals
Funerals at Beacon Benefice
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person’s life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the
person into God’s keeping.
Everyone is entitled to a church service conducted by a Church of England minister in their local parish church or nearby crematorium, and to have either a burial of a coffin or have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard. If the churchyard
has been ‘closed’ to receiving remains, then the local authority will provide alternative places of burial and the minister can carry out the service there instead of the church or crematorium.
Arrangements:
If you would like to arrange a funeral in our Benefice, please contact a local funeral director, who will help you make all the necessary arrangements. Your funeral director should then get in touch with Gloucester Funerals by calling 07742700319 or
email gloucesterfunerals@glosdioc.org.uk who administer funerals on our behalf and will arrange for a minister to
then contact you directly.
Safeguarding
Sometimes people don’t know who to turn to if they feel uncomfortable, worried, or unsafe, which is why we have a dedicated safeguarding team ready to listen and support you.
Giving
If you would like to bless a church with a financial gift, please follow the donate here button.
Thank you.