The Baptism of adults or children (often referred to as a Christening), is a marker of the beginning of a journey with God.  Coming to Baptism is a step that makes a positive response to the love of God for all people, as revealed through the life and work of Jesus Christ.  It is not about having all the answers, but it is about wanting to bring Jesus into the centre of life, and to look to Him to receive as a gift the life which He offers.  In the service, water is used to baptise.  The word “Baptism” comes from the Greek word meaning “to dip”, and the water used in the service is symbolic of the cleansing from sin Jesus made possible through his death on the cross.  In the service, the candidates for Baptism or their Godparents make serious promises and signs of the Christian way emphasise the significance of turning to Christ in this moment.  These include the presentation of a lit candle, a sign of the light of Christ which has conquered evil, and is the light which Christians follow on their life-long journey of faith. 

Baptism is available at all the churches in the main Sunday morning service and it is also possible to arrange a special private service on a Sunday.  The first step to booking a Baptism is to attend a Baptism Preparation Session with a member of the clergy team.  To make arrangements or to ask questions please contact Lisa (our Benefice Administrator) on teamadmin@eppinganglicans.org.uk 

An engaged couple can be married in either St John’s Epping, All Saints Epping Upland or St Alban’s Coopersale if at least one of the following applies:

·  one of them was baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish;

·  one of them has ever lived in the parish for six months or more;

·  one of them has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for six months or more;

·  one of their parents has lived in the parish for six months or more in their child’s lifetime;

·  one of their parents has regularly attended public worship there for six months or more in their child’s lifetime;

·  their parents or grandparents were married in the parish. 

It is also possible to marry in one of the churches of the Epping Team if you:

·  Regularly attend church services; by attending regularly for a minimum of once a month for six months you can become eligible to be married as if you lived in the Parish.

A marriage in the Church of England is a legal ceremony, and a suitable preliminary must be undertaken.  Usually this is the calling of Banns, and there is no need to contact the Registration Service to obtain a “Marriage License” for a wedding in the Church of England

All of the above apply if both parties are either UK nationals or resident in the Republic of Ireland.  It is still possible to marry in one of the churches if this is not the case.  Please contact us and someone will be in touch to explain the necessary steps.

Bespoke services of prayer and blessing maybe be arranged, including using the Prayers of Love and Faith or those after a Civil Marriage, please use contact us and a member of the clergy team will be in touch.

Marriage services can be arranged for any day of the week.  There is only ever one wedding booked on a particular day in a particular church so it is possible, for example, to have floral decoration to your particular taste.  All churches have toilet facilities (although those are limited at St Alban’s Coopersale).  All Saints Epping Upland benefits from car parking facilities and extensive grounds where photographs can be taken.

The church building at St John’s Epping maybe hired for use as a reception venue and can accommodate a seated reception.

Fees

Please contact the Benefice Office to enquire about relevant fees. 

The Ministry and Pastoral Care Team are always available to pray with to anyone in the parish who asks for them . After a death, the family or friends of the person who has died usually ask a local funeral director to make the arrangements on their behalf, but you are welcome to contact the Benefice Office directly, if you wish.

The churchyard at St Alban’s Coopersale is open for new burials of persons resident in the parish, and of those who die in the parish or are on the electoral roll at the time of death.  There are rules governing the design memorials and headstones which apply to all churches in the Diocese of Chelmsford.  They can be found here.  

Cremated remains maybe buried in areas set aside for this purpose at each church.