The Church is a Field Hospital for Sinners.
The Sacrament of Baptism
Our baptism policy (please read carefully):-
St Mary's and St Matthew’s warmly welcomes children and adults for the sacrament of baptism, which makes a person a member of Christ’s Church. We ask those seeking baptism to come to church for at least two Sundays before requesting a baptism. A baptism properly takes place at the Sunday Mass because it is the whole church that welcomes each new member, child or adult. In the case of a child, we expect parents to continue to bring children to church after baptism so they attend Sunday School and grow up in the Christian faith.
Baptism Liturgy
You might like to read the actual words of the baptism service before requesting a baptism.
If you would like more information on Baptism please fill in the enquiry form, or contact the Parish Office during normal opening hours.
Below is some information which might help God-parents understand their responsibility, amongst which is a God-parent’s intention to pray for the Child, to speak to them about God and encourage them in their Christian faith.
We are always happy to welcome new Church members.
In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love. In our tradition, it is usual to baptise young children (this is sometimes known as christening), but people can be baptised at any age.
Baptism is a Sacrament (an enacted sign that brings about what it shows us – in this case membership of the Church), Jesus himself having been baptised in the River Jordan.
Baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.
We normally baptise at the main Parish Mass on the third Sunday of a month (09:30 at St Matthew's and 11:00 at St Mary's). We ask you to do two things; Firstly Please check that you live in our parish. You should make your request for baptism to the parish in which you live. You can check which parish you live in by putting your postcode into this website: (http://www.achurchnearyou.com). Secondly, We ask you to come along to the Parish Mass on Sunday.
What does the Church believe and teach about Baptism? Take a look
What does being
a Godparent involve?
As a godparent, you have a special role. It's about helping a child to come to know God, encouraging them in their spiritual life and supporting them in their membership of the local church. You will be expected to be attend the child's baptism, where you will make promises to help to bring them up in the Christian faith. It's a role that will develop over time, as your godchild grows up and develops their own faith.
Building a relationship
with your God Child
You're a godparent. Now what? Both you and your godchild will get far more out of this relationship if you can keep it alive. Children love to get letters, postcards and emails. Why not send a card or small gift on the anniversary of the baptism, to show you care about them and to remind you both of what's special about this relationship. Keep in touch regularly as they grow up. Perhaps when they're older, they'll want to ask questions about faith or Christian life. If you've kept in touch, they might be able to ask you - and that's something special.
Growing in faith:
Confirmation
Hopefully, later on your godchild will want to make his or her own declaration of faith at a confirmation service. Confirmation is an important occasion. Your godchild confirms the promises you made for them at the baptism service and the bishop leading the service prays for God's Holy Spirit to rest upon your godchild. Before their confirmation, they attend a series of classes or meetings at their local church or school. They discuss what it means to be a Christian, so they can decide whether to make their own Christian commitment and how they'll express that in their own lives.
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We emphasise sacramental worship (the Mass or Holy Eucharist) celebrated in a traditional Anglo-Catholic style, with strong orthodox teaching and preaching, supportive pastoral care, a caring parish family, and responsibility to our community and the greater world.
The Church is a Field Hospital for Sinners.
Registered Charity (England & Wales) no 1203323
Regular Services
Sundays
09:30 Parish Mass - St Matthew's
11:00 Parish Mass - St Mary's
18:30 Evensong and Benediction - St Matthew's
Weekdays
Monday 19:00 - Low Mass - St Mary's (Advent & Lent only)
Tuesday 19:00 - Low Mass - St Matthew's
Wednesday 12:30 - Low Mass - St Mary's
Thursday 09:15 - Low Mass - St Matthew's *
Friday 19:00 - Low Mass - St Mary's
Saturday 0900 - Rosary - Online
* Followed by Coffee morning
(c) The PCC of St Mary' the Virgin Stanwell and St Matthew's Ashford Registered Charity: 1203323