Baptism
Baptism marks the entry of a person into the Christian community of faith. We baptize people during services. We offer traditional infant Baptism and also Baptism by full immersion. The Parish Office is happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have. The Church of England website has further information about baptism. Baptism involves a commitment to a new way of life in the Christian community. As you can see from the rest of the website, there are a range of activities for children and adults. In due course, children may wish to make their own formal declaration of faith, by being confirmed.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a public statement of belonging to the Christian community. It is a rite of passage to confirm, strengthen, establish and secure the person in their Christian journey. As it is secondary to baptism, it is a way for those who have been baptised to affirm for themselves what was done for them at their baptism, if that took place when they were an infant. If they were baptised as an adult it is perhaps more of an underlining with prayer of the choice that person has made to undertake a journey of faith. It means the strengthening or deepening of one's Christian belief and the admittance as a full member of the Church. Whatever your age, if you are interested in being confirmed, look out for details of confirmation classes or speak to one of the clergy.
Weddings
Firstly, if you are thinking of getting married in one of our churches we would like to offer you our congratulations. A Wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as great joy. Marriage continues to enrich society and strengthen community. On their wedding day the bride and groom face each other, make their promises and receive God’s blessing for their new life together. Weddings are an important part of the life of the Uxbridge Parish and one of the varied ways in which we try to serve God and the community.
Your Church Wedding Website
Click on the link bellow to take you to the yourchurchwedding website where you can discover all you need to know about Church of England weddings and blessings. Marrying in church is personal, meaningful, spiritual and beautiful, just as you want it to be.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss how to arrange your wedding here at St. Margaret’s Church please email Jeff Rea, our parish administrator, who will forward your details to one of the clergy. Alternatively, you can telephone the parish office on 01895 258766. Someone will then make contact with you.
Funerals
It is our privilege to accompany those who are experiencing a difficult time of loss and we seek to offer as much support as we can at this time of need. A Church of England-led funeral is available to everyone – regardless of whether or not they go to church – giving support before, during and after the service, for as long as it’s needed.
Normally a funeral director will offer those who live in the Uxbridge Parish, a service in either St. Margaret’s or St. Andrew’s or at one of the nearest crematoria conducted by the clergy or a licensed reader from the ministry team. Sometimes a family wishes to hold a service in the church and then have the committal at the crematorium or cemetery. In each case we seek to meet the family’s requests as far as possible.
The funeral director will liase with the church and a meeting is arranged by the minister with the family to discuss all the details and offer comfort and help.
Support, Prayer and Guidance
Families are also remembered in prayer at our services and in our daily prayers across the parish.
You may find it helpful to think about the following:
- Any special requests about the funeral made by your loved one
- Any particular hymns/songs they liked or that you feel appropriate
- Any poems/ readings/ tributes or prayers to be spoken in the service
- Whether any children will be present at the service and if they need any special guidance and support before and during the day.
- It is possible to have recorded music should you wish to provide a special song or piece for the church or crematorium.
There is no need to have any answers to the above as we are there to guide you through the service offering as much help as you need.
In November there is a special opportunity to remember loved ones who have died.
On the first Sunday of November at 4pm, we invite families to our annual Parish Memorial Service to remember and give thanks for lives of those we have loved and lost. This is a very sensitively led service in which there is an opportunity to light a candle of remembrance. Afterwards a light tea is served and there is time to talk if it is helpful. Everyone is welcome at this service. If you would like a name read out, please email Jeff, our parish administrator.
Arranging a funeral
Find out some of the first things that need to happen