Celebrating your commitment

There is more than one way to mark and celebrate a committed relationship.

You might be exploring:

• a legal church wedding;

• a church blessing after a civil marriage in the UK or overseas;

• prayer and thanksgiving for an anniversary or renewed commitment;

• or Prayers of Love and Faith with a same-sex couple.

We will begin by listening to your story and helping you understand which options are available.

Because we work ecumenically and alongside neighbouring parishes, there may be several possible churches or traditions to explore. Each church has its own capacity, facilities and policies, and different services carry different legal requirements.

We can help you think through the choices before you have to approach several churches separately.

A wedding that reflects your story

A Christian wedding is rooted in prayer, Scripture and promises made before God and the gathered community.

Within that framework, there is plenty to explore together: readings, music, prayers, people you would like to involve and ways of recognising your families, cultures and shared story.

We will help you shape a service that feels personal while remaining recognisably Christian.

Marriage blessings

After a wedding in a civil ceremony — whether in the UK or abroad — you might want to have a service in church or with a Christian minister. A blessing can sometimes be offered in Northstowe after a civil ceremony, depending on the circumstances and the kind of gathering you are planning, or we can help you find a suitable church building.

Celebrating with same-sex couples

Same-sex couples are warmly welcome to begin a conversation with us.

The Church of England’s Prayers of Love and Faith include readings and prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God’s blessing for a same-sex couple. These may currently be used within public worship.

It is not currently legally possible for a same-sex marriage to be solemnised in a Church of England church. Because the Northstowe Church Network also belongs within Baptist and United Reformed traditions, the possible routes may depend on the tradition, minister and venue involved. We will talk openly and sensitively about what is currently possible.

Moving into a new home is a significant moment, particularly in a town where so many households are beginning a new chapter.

A house blessing can be very simple. We might move through the rooms together, giving thanks for the people who will live there and praying for peace, safety, friendship, hospitality and the life that will unfold within its walls.

You might invite family, friends or neighbours — or keep it quiet and personal.

We can also explore prayer or blessing around other significant moments of transition, such as an anniversary, a new beginning or a time of particular change.

It is a privilege to pray with and for people as they put down roots in Northstowe.

Celebrating new life

There are certain moments in life that take our breath away – in ecstasy, in pain, in beauty, in wonder. The birth of a child is a historic and wondrous moment and a cause for celebration.

Many people are overcome by a sense of awe at the creation of new life and want to express their thanks to God. That is why Christians across the traditions offer services of prayer and blessing. Sometimes people find lighting a candle, perhaps at home, or church — or even online! — a good way to start thanking God for this wonderful gift. Why not give it a try?

Thanksgivings

We always start the celebrations about the birth of a child with a service of Thanksgiving. This can be a few simple prayers in the middle of one of our normal gatherings, or a bigger event. You can read more about these services here but the main thing is to come and meet us in person. 

Christenings

For many people, there is also a desire to take the next step and have a Christening. During the christening, your child will be baptised with water. It’s a key step on an amazing journey with God, parents, godparents, friends, family, and the church. A central aspect of Christening is being welcomed into the local church family — symbolic of joining the timeless family of the church around the world and down the generations — so always involves the wider church too. However, you don’t have to have been christened yourself, and you don’t have to have been a regular churchgoer before.

At Pathfinder Church, Christenings usually happen several weeks after the Thanksgiving, during one of our main gatherings at the school. We can also celebrate Christenings in the nearby historic church buildings.

If you are interested in a Christening after the Thanksgiving service, we will talk about this when you meet with the minister. We often have several meetings, allowing you to find out more about the really significant promises you will be making, and also helping us as your local church to find out how best we can support you afterwards.

A good place to find out more is churchofenglandchristenings.org, although nothing beats a personal conversation, so please get in touch!

Responding to God’s love as an older child or adult

Whenever it happens, whether as a baby, child or adult, baptism is at the heart of an amazing journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. You are never too old to take this step, and being baptized as an adult is a wonderful experience.

You may have been baptized at a christening when you were a child or in a different Christian tradition, and there are always special ways to renew the promises that were made then in a fresh way as you discover more about what it means to live them out in your life. This includes an Affirmation of Faith, a Confirmation, or a particular celebration as you enter into membership of the local church.

Come and walk with us awhile, and we’ll be more than happy to talk with you about these next steps.

Here when someone dies

When someone dies, there can be many decisions to make at a time when thinking clearly is difficult.

You can ask the funeral director to contact us, or you can speak to us directly before choosing a funeral director or confirming arrangements.

You do not need to have been a regular churchgoer to ask for a Christian funeral. Church of England funeral ministry is available to people in their local parish whether or not they attended church, and support can continue before, during and after the funeral.

Creating a fitting service

A Christian funeral holds together several things:

• acknowledging the reality and pain of death;

• giving thanks for the person and the life they lived;

• allowing space for grief and remembrance;

• and placing our hope within the Christian story of God’s enduring love.

We will listen carefully to the person’s story and help you choose readings, music, prayers, tributes and other elements that feel fitting.

A church funeral can be held in a church, crematorium, at a graveside or in another appropriate place.

Other ways of remembering

We can also help with:

• a memorial or thanksgiving service held after a smaller funeral;

• burial or interment of ashes;

• prayers on an anniversary;

• support following a sudden or difficult death;

• and opportunities to remember someone within the continuing prayer of the church.

Planning your own funeral

You are also welcome to contact us about planning your own funeral.

Talking through your wishes in advance can be a gift to those who will one day make decisions on your behalf. It can also offer a gentle opportunity to reflect on life, mortality, faith and hope without an immediate crisis.

Northstowe does not yet have its own permanent church building.

Our regular communities currently gather in schools, homes, gardens and outdoor spaces. For life events, we also work with neighbouring historic village churches and other suitable venues.

Depending on the service, possibilities may include:

• a neighbouring church building;

• one of our regular Northstowe venues;

• a home or garden;

• a crematorium or graveside;

• or another suitable community or outdoor setting.

Legal weddings must take place within a venue and arrangement authorised for marriage - we can help you work out the options. Other services, including blessings, funerals and memorials, may offer greater flexibility and can and do happen here in Northstowe in hired spaces.

Our developing vision for the Chapel by the Lake includes a dedicated sacred space designed to help Northstowe mark life’s significant moments in the heart of the town. In the meantime... let's talk!

[Discover the Chapel by the Lake →]

Please tell us early about anything that will help you or your guests participate fully.

That might include:

• step-free access or suitable seating;

• hearing, visual or communication needs;

• sensory or neurodivergent access;

• electronic copies of service words;

• dietary requirements;

• support for children;

• or finding a venue with particular facilities.

Different churches and venues offer different levels of accessibility, so this may help shape the choices we explore together.

[Read about Access and Inclusion →]

There is no charge for beginning a pastoral conversation or asking us to help you explore the options.

Some life events involve legal, denominational, venue or administrative fees. These vary according to the kind of service and where it takes place.

We will explain:

• which church or organisation is formally responsible;

• what preparation and paperwork are required;

• what fees apply;

• when payments are due;

• and who will receive them.

Cost should never prevent you from beginning the conversation. Please speak to us if you are worried about what may be involved.