To contact us:

Sedbergh Methodist Church

New Street

Sedbergh

LA10 5AF

E-mail: Office@sedberghmethodistchurch.org

Weddings & Baptisms

Weddings in a Methodist Church

If you are planning to get married and are considering a Methodist church,

here are guidelines to help you.
What is the first step?

Usually a couple wishing to get married should approach the Methodist Minister of the church at which they wish to be married. This would normally have to be in the civil registration district in which they live. Marriage preparation is provided at a local level by the circuit ministers. The best route is to start making links with the minister likely to conduct the wedding.

One of us is divorced. Is that OK?

The best advice is to speak to the local minister or the superintendent minister of the circuit where you live. The Methodist Church is generally willing to marry people who have been divorced, while their previous spouse is still alive, as long as there are not major obvious reasons why it would be inappropriate to do so. People wanting to marry in church don't have to be members of the church, but most ministers will ask them why they wish to marry in church. A church marriage is a solemn Christian ceremony, with prayers and Bible readings reflecting Christian understandings of what marriage is about. Whilst people wishing to marry in a Methodist church do not need to be church members, most ministers will look for a genuine desire on the part of a couple to take their marriage seriously along the lines set out in the service. Discussing what this means in practice will be part of the marriage preparation.

 

Baptism or Thanksgiving

According to the Methodist Worship Book, baptism (or Christening) marks entry into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of which the Methodist Church is part. The Methodist Church, like most denominations of the Christian Church, administers the sacrament to both adults and young children.

Is there an alternative to baptism for our child?

Some people choose to have an Act of Thanksgiving or Dedication after the Birth or Adoption of a Child.

How do we go about getting our child baptized or dedicated?

Parents should approach their local Methodist minister at the earliest possible moment. The minister will be able to explain what's involved.