Baptism (sometimes called Christening) is a service at which children are made members of the Church, and given the promise of God’s blessing and eternal life. Anyone who lives in the parish or who is on the Electoral Roll (the Church’s membership list) has a right to have their children baptised at St Lawrence Church. Those who live outside the parish may be able arrange to have their children baptised here, but will have to agree this specially with the vicar and then get the permission of their local priest. Baptism implies commitment to a continuing connection with the Church so children have the opportunity to grow in faith, learn more about Jesus and find their place within God’s family. Often families will be encouraged to come to Church before arranging a baptism so they are sure this is the right step to make for their children. In baptism the parents and Godparents are saying, in effect, on their behalf, “I believe in God, I want to learn more about Jesus, I want to be a member of the Church.”
Parents who do not wish their children to be baptised immediately, but wish to give thanks to God for the birth or adoption of a child, are welcome to ask for a service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child.
Adults and older children who have not been baptised are encouraged to ask for baptism. They make the promises for themselves so have to be sure that they believe in God, want to learn more about Jesus and want to become a member of the Church. The vicar is always ready to talk to those who wish to explore what this might mean! There is the opportunity for enquirers to join an informal six-session course (called Start!) which is run in the parish.
If you wish to be baptised, or wish to have a child baptised, please make contact with the Church Office or the vicar.
Jesus said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ (John 10.10)
Weddings
At a Church wedding bride and bridegroom make their promises, receive God’s blessing and offer their future together to God’s love and support. If either of the couple lives in the parish or is on the Electoral Roll (the Church’s membership list) they are legally entitled to be married at St Lawrence Church. If there is a strong family connection with the church, you may be able to apply for an Archbishop’s licence to marry here if you do not qualify on the above grounds. Otherwise, people usually choose to be married at the church where they worship regularly, so come to St Lawrence and join us in worship here, before you decide if this is the place where you wish to make your vows before God. To qualify for the Electoral Roll, you need to sign a declaration to say you are baptised and you have attended worship regularly here for at least six months.
If you wish to be married at the Church of the Ascension in Bedmond, you will have to apply for an Archbishop’s License as the building is not licensed for weddings.
Once a wedding has been booked the vicar will discuss your plans for the day and help you to decide what music, readings and other arrangements will make the occasion as unique and special a start to your future together as you want it to be. The Church Office is also able to help with practical questions and advice before the day.
For an indication as to the availability of dates for weddings in the coming year, click here.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13.4-7)
Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life and that every life, including our own, is precious to God. Even those who share such faith find there is a real sense of loss at the death of a loved one. The Church is always ready to offer support and care to those who have been bereaved.
To organise a funeral you will need to get in touch with a funeral director. If you are hoping to have the service in Church, or that a particular minister will conduct the service, please mention this to the funeral director at the earliest opportunity. While every effort will be made to accommodate your wishes you may have to consider an alternative time or day for the service if the Church or minister happen to be unavailable. This can easily be done but may mean that finalising the date or time may take a little longer.
If you live in the parish of Abbots Langley the funeral will normally be arranged with one of the local ministers. Once the funeral director has made the arrangements, the minister will contact you and arrange to visit to discuss your wishes for the service and how you wish your loved one to be remembered.
If the funeral service takes place in Church, you will need to choose whether this will be followed by cremation (usually at West Hertfordshire Crematorium in Garston), or by burial (usually at NorthWatford Cemetery). Unfortunately the Churchyard at St Lawrence is no longer available for burials, but ashes can be interred here in the Garden of Remembrance.
I am convinced that neither death nor life ….. will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8.38,39)