Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Any couple considering getting married has a great deal of planning to do. That is why we have provided here a leaflet to explain what you need to consider and how to go about organising a wedding in our Church. 

If you have any further questions you can visit the Church of Scotland website which offers further information which may help.

Once you have made the decision that you would like to be married in our Church you can download a booking form here. Simply fill out your details and send it to our minister, who will contact you to confirm if the Church is available on your chosen date and arrange a time to chat with both of you. We would advise you to have this conversation first before confirming the venue for your reception. email

BLESSING OF A CIVIL MARRIAGE

Ministers of the Church of Scotland can also conduct blessing ceremonies for civil marriages (those which were legally conducted by a registrar and not in a church). The couple seeking a blessing on their marriage stand together at the front of the church, and may be attended by friends. Please contact the minister if this is something you would like to consider. email

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Baptism is one of the two sacraments recognised by the Church of Scotland, the other being the Sacrament of Holy Communion. In the case of infant baptism, the Church expects at least one parent or other close family member either to be a member of the Church or willing to become a member.

In the baptismal service those appropriate adults profess their own faith and promise to give the child a Christian upbringing. In the case of adult baptism, the person themselves makes the appropriate promises.

Baptism is normally administered at Sunday worship in front of the congregation. This emphasises the nature of the sacrament as incorporation into the body of Christ and the life of the Church. There is a more flexibility in the case of genuine emergencies, normally in a hospital situation.

THE THANKSGIVING AND BLESSING OF A CHILD

If you are uncertain whether the Sacrament of Baptism is the right thing for you or your child, we can offer a Thanksgiving and Blessing of the a child. The blessing ceremony takes place at morning worship following the same pattern as that for baptism, except the wording and promises are different, and no water is used. Nothing is required of the parents in either commitment or belief.

Please contact our minister to discuss either of these options and to agree a date before organising any post-Baptism or Thanksgiving and Blessing celebrations. email

FUNERAL SERVICES

Through its parish system and territorial ministry the Church of Scotland seeks to serve all the people of Scotland and not just the membership of the Church. Nobody in the situation of bereavement should hesitate to seek the services of their parish minister, either directly or through the Funeral Director. You can contact our minister by email or on his mobile: 07766 007171, which you can pass on to your chosen Funeral Director. 

You can download here a brief guide to funerals and use the link here to be redirected to the Scottish Government's webpage where you will be able to download their up-to-date guidance on planning your own funeral.

HOW TO ARRANGE ONE OF THESE SERVICES

You need to contact your nearest Church of Scotland minister to arrange one of these services. If you are planning on travelling to Scotland for such an event, more information about the country is available from the VisIt Scotland website 

COST OF SERVICES

Please note that no charges should be made by Funeral Directors for the services of any Church of Scotland parish minister, though if the service is to be held in the Church you may be asked to contribute towards things like heating and lighting and the organist's fee. 

There are fixed charges for Weddings and Blessing of a Civil Marriage services. There may also be copyright costs involved if you want to video record the ceremony. 

The minister will supply you with up-to-date information on this when you talk with him.

There are no charges for a Baptism or Thanksgiving and Blessing service.

Scottish Charity No. 010775