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Flitwick Parish Church of England Diocese of St Albans
Weddings & Blessings |
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Application Forms Away Banns application form 2008
Qualifying connection form (pdf) Free Adobe Reader or Word doc. for sending by email
Previous marriage dissolved form to print out and send The Marriage book (including the service) The Blessing book (including the service)
The marriage ceremony
is basically the same whether it is held in a church, a Register Office,
hotel or Manor House. It is a public declaration of your love for each
other and a statement of your commitment to an ongoing relationship.
It will give you a new legal status as husband and wife and a new
stability within which your relationship can grow and flourish. But if you choose to get
married in a church
you are also saying that you want God to be a part of your relationship.
The Bible is full of references to love and Christians believe that
the love you have for each other is a reflection of God's love for all his
people on earth. Including God in your marriage
doesn't mean that you will necessary avoid all the ups and downs, but you
will know that you can look to him for help and guidance and that his love
will sustain you in the years to come.
You will also have the support and encouragement of the Christian
church family to rely on. The Bible compares married
love
with the love Jesus has for his followers.
He expressed his love by being prepared to sacrifice himself, even
to die for the people he loved. This
is an amazing example of unconditional love.
Jesus never said "I love you, but. . . ". In our
marriages we can try to follow his model by loving our partners in a
self-sacrificial way, always putting their needs before our own. At the moment, give or take feeling a
bit nervous about making such a major decision, you are probably
wonderfully happy. This day
is one of the most important days of your life and you will be thrilled
and excited, looking forward to a long and happy life together. Of course sometimes things do
go wrong in marriage. You
may know someone whose marriage has not worked out or a couple who are
going through a hard time. Fortunately
the Wedding Service is firmly grounded in reality.
You probably know the phrase, “for better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer in sickness and in health".
Nobody knows what the future
will bring
but in the promises that you will make to each other before God, you are
saying that you will stick together, whatever happens.
That's quite a promise. What if one of you becomes seriously ill or
disabled, or if the children you are both looking forward to don't arrive? You
will have hours getting ready for this day.
There will be so many things to think about- the dress, the cake, the
reception, the honeymoon, the cost. Even now, you may still be worrying
about whether everything is going to work out. However, remember, the
wedding day today is just one day. Hopefully, your marriage will last for life! Marriage
where there has been divorce It is possible under certain circumstances to be married in
church if one or both of you have been married before and your previous
spouses are still living. This will be handled on an individual basis
following the completion of an enquiry form and interview. Legal
Residential requirements In order to be married at Flitwick church one of you must
reside in the parish (Flitwick) during the period when your Banns of
marriage are called. This is usually
21 days within a three month period before your wedding day. If
neither of you lives in Flitwick then you will have to enquire about
joining the Church Electoral Roll. This requires that you attend worship
(services) at Flitwick church for a minimum period of 6 months before your
name(s) are entered on the Roll, thus giving you a legal right to be
married here. If one of you lives in another parish, your Banns will have
to be called in your local Church of England church in addition to
Flitwick. In cases where there has been an application from couples
involving divorce, there is no legal right to apply for entry on the Roll
until the vicar has agreed to a marriage. Couples may also apply for a
Common Licence from the Diocesan Registrar if they are to be resident in
the parish during the 21 days of the calling of Banns. (This cannot apply
in cases where there has been a divorce) Please discuss this matter with
the vicar when you make your enquiry. If you intend to move out of
Flitwick during the period of the calling of Banns, then you will no
longer be entitled to be married here. What
to do next Your first step is to contact the vicar. (details below)
You will be asked a couple of questions about whether one or both of you
live in Flitwick and if one or both of you has ever been married before.
If everything is satisfactory, then you can make an appointment to
complete an application for marriage which will also book a date and time
for you. A small deposit is payable at the time of booking. Further
information, including an indication of the fees, will be given to you at
this appointment and any other questions you may have, answered. A
preparation evening will be arranged in the year of your wedding and dates
fixed for the calling of Banns and a rehearsal. Church
Blessings Where a civil marriage has taken place it is also possible
to come to church for a service of blessing. You will be asked to provide
proof of your marriage. This service is also subject to fees. Further
details form the vicar. (details below) Thanksgivings
& Anniversaries More couples are seeking a way to celebrate their marriages
and want to do this in church.
Contact the vicar for further information.
Revd. Michael Bradley
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This page last updated 17/08/2008 |
