Services

1st Sundays - All Age

An accessible service for all ages and needs.

2nd and 4th Sundays – Holy Communion

Holy Communion with materials and activities for children and young people. A mix of traditional and less traditional styles with a celebration of Holy Communion at the heart of the service.

3rd and 5th Sundays – Morning Service

A mix of traditional and less traditional styles without Holy Communion.

Times/Locations

• Monday 9:00am at St Mary's
• Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am at St Barnabas
• Friday 10:00am on Facebook

What is Baptism?

In the baptism service we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. We acknowledge that we all need to turn away from the darkness of evil and to make a new start with God. The water is an outward, visible sign of the inward coming to God and the new life that follows. Baptism is also the ceremony in which a person becomes a member of the church. We are happy to baptise babies, children and adults.

Can we have a baptism at St Mary's?

Yes, if you live in the parish of Eversley and Bramshill.

If you live outside the parish then you need to either be a regular worshipper at St Mary's or have a specific connection with the parish or St Mary's. The connections we are looking for are:

• A parent has at any time lived in the parish for more than six months
• The parents were married at St Mary's
• A parent or sibling was baptised at St Mary's church
• A parent or sibling was prepared for confirmation at St Mary's church

If you have no connection with Eversley or St Mary's then the baptism should normally take place at the parish church where you live. You can find out where this is on the Church of England web-site.

When are Baptism Services held?

Baptisms are usually held during the 10:00am Service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Please contact our Baptisms Administrator who will be pleased to talk you through the available dates.

What happens at the Baptism Service?

During the baptism service the child’s parents and godparents, or the adult being baptised, declare their decision to turn to Christ, to repent of their sins and to renounce evil. They then affirm their belief and trust in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Once the decision and affirmation have been made, the priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the person being baptised and then baptises them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit by pouring water on their head.

At the end of the service the child or adult is given a lighted candle to remind them to shine like a light in the world to the glory of God the Father. We suggest that you light the candle on the anniversary of the baptism to remind you of the baptism promises you have made.

Do we need to start coming to church?

Yes. If you don't already come to St Mary's regularly then it is important that you start coming so that you can begin to learn more about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Christian faith. Baptism is about joining the church and so it's also important that we get to know you, and you us, so that we can support you on your journey of faith. We suggest that you come along either to our All Age Service or to one of our Holy Communion Services where you will be warmly welcomed.

Do we have to do Baptism preparation?

Yes. We ask that you come to at least one service before the baptism so that you can see what happens. One of our clergy will also need to visit you before the baptism to explain in more detail what baptism means.

Who can get married at St Mary's?

You can marry in St Mary's Church if you can answer Yes to one of the following statements:

• I was baptised in the parish
• I prepared for confirmation in the parish
• My parent or Grandparent was married in the parish
• I have had my usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months
• My parent has had their usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months during my lifetime
• I have habitually attended public worship at the parish church for at least 6 months
• My parent has habitually attended public worship at the parish church for at least 6 months during my lifetime

Banns

Banns are an announcement and a legal requirement of your intention to marry and have to be read out on 3 Sundays prior to the wedding in the parishes where each of you lives.

The Banns are read at the 10:00am service in St Mary's and in St Barnabas Church.

If you live in St Mary's parish and are getting married elsewhere and need your Banns read, please contact our Weddings Administrator.

Marriage Preparation

We invite all couples who are being married during the year, to attend a marriage preparation session. This is an opportunity to discuss the Christian aspects of marriage and look at the Marriage Service. We strongly recommend you make every effort to attend as those who have done so in the past have found it very beneficial.

Music

Most couples choose two or three hymns, as well as organ music to be played as the bride enters and as the couple leave the church.

Flowers

We recommend you organise your own florist to arrange the floral decorations. We do ask and would be grateful if you would leave a pedestal arrangement for our Sunday Services.

Photographs/Video

We are happy for photographs to be taken once the service is over, at the signing of the Register and subsequently.

If you are planning to video the service, you will need to sign our Permission to Video form, which will cover the need for you to obtain a copyright licence.

Who can have a funeral at St Mary's?

Everyone is entitled to a funeral service in their local parish church by their local vicar regardless of whether they attended church or not.

Making Arrangements

Your first point of contact is with the funeral directors and they will help you with all of the arrangements.

Some people find planning the funeral with family and friends helps in their grieving. Perhaps you already know something of what your loved one wanted. You may even have planned the service together some time ago.

The Vicar who will lead the funeral service will meet with you to discuss it. They will help you choose suitable readings, hymns and prayers. If they did not know your loved one well, they will talk with you to build up a picture of the person's life.