Life Events
We journey together in life and we understand the moments of joy and sorrow.
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 after the Birth or Adoption of a Child.
How do we go about getting our child baptized?
Parents wishing to have their children baptized should approach Rev'd Jackie or Rev'd Glayne at the earliest possible moment. We will be able to explain what's involved. This may involve, in some cases, parents being willing to undertake a number of conversations.
Do different denominations have different baptisms?
There is one baptism, which is recognized by all the mainstream Churches that baptize infants, including the Methodist Church and the Church of England.
Can you be baptised as a child and as an adult - for instance if you return to the Church after a break?
In the Methodist Church baptism as an infant would normally be followed by confirmation and reception into membership at the point where the person wishes to take on the commitment and responsibility of Christian discipleship for themselves and to play a full part in the life of the Church.
This is best summed up in the Methodist Worship Book: "In Confirmation, those who have been baptized declare their faith in Christ and are Strengthened by the Holy Spirit for continuing discipleship. Confirmation reminds us that we are baptized and that God continues to be at work in our lives: we respond by affirming that we belong to Christ and to the whole People of God. At a Service of Confirmation, baptized Christians are also received into membership of the Methodist Church and take their place as such in a local congregation."
There is no obvious difference in understanding, for example, between the Methodist Church and the Church of England about Confirmation itself. However, the Church of England does not have any strong sense of "membership" of the Church of England (so, for example, there is no transfer of membership when a person moves from one area to another).
if you are planning to get married and are considering a Methodist church we would love to speak and work with you to create a moment that will be special for you and your guests.
What is the first step?
Usually a couple wishing to get married should approach Rev'd Jackie or Rev'd Glayne and ask about 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 Jackie or Glayne. The best route is to start making links with the minister likely to conduct the wedding. As part of the legal process, prospective marriage partners will need to go to the local registry office and will be given a copy of a book called 'Married Life', which is a helpful resource for people thinking about the implications of getting married. The Methodist Church produced a Christian Preparation for Marriage report in 1998. There is also an ecumenical website about marriage preparation.
One of us is divorced. Is that OK?
The rules and laws relating to divorce are not made by the church but by the State. Methodist Church House is not in a position to offer advice on couples' pastoral situations. The best advice is to speak to Rev'd Jackie or Rev'd Glayne
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.
We will be able to explain the legalities about going to the registrar for a schedule and so on. The Methodist Church does not argue that the grounds for divorce should be changed from the present ones. We would certainly encourage a couple going through difficulties in their relationship to seek advice, counselling and support to see if they can rebuild it. We would also expect people to take very seriously their responsibilities to any children of the marriage.
Does one of us have to be a Methodist?
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.
What if we are from two different denominations?
Many marriages in Methodist churches (and many couples marrying in Methodist churches) include people from different Christian denominations. Where two people from different church traditions marry, it is quite common for ministers from both churches to take part in the ceremony. This is welcomed. Sometimes, people from different faiths marry - and there is advice available for such marriages.
What about same-sex marriage?
On 30 June 2021, and following prayerful consideration by the whole Church, the Methodist Conference voted to confirm provisional resolutions on same sex marriages conducted on Methodist premises or by Methodist office-holders. Many of our churches in Trafford are registered for solemnization of same sex marriages - please speak to Rev'd Jackie or Rev'd Glayne.
Funerals
We are so very sorry for your sadness and grief - to journey with you to enable a service which will bring comfort and support is a priority for us
Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ give them hope and cause for thanksgiving in the face of death. In this faith we entrust those who have died to the infinite mercy and love of God. A Methodist funeral service acknowledges this hope and offers bereaved people the opportunity to remember their loved one's life and offer them into God's care.
How do we arrange a funeral?
Most people will use the services of a local funeral director, who will provide advice and organise all the practical arrangements. If you would like a funeral to involve the church and a local minister it is a good idea to find out if they are available before booking the time and date of the service. Please speak to Rev'd Jackie or Rev'd Glayne
The person who has died may have left details of the sort of funeral that they hoped for. We want to support families in keeping to such arrangements as much as possible and in making the service a personal and appropriate occasion. Taking funerals is an important part of our ministry and we will take time to visit you, offering comfort and support before and after the funeral itself.
Burials and Cremations
Few Methodist churches have burial grounds and those that do are mostly full, so burials usually take place at the local cemetery. Just over half of funerals today are cremations and services may take place entirely at the crematorium or as well as a church service. If cremation is desired this leaves the question of what to do with the ashes. Crematoria have gardens of rest where they can be buried or scattered and many churchyards have a special place set aside for this even when there is no space left for graves.
Bereavement
The time between a person's death and their funeral is often very busy and full of practical arrangements. Often it is only after the funeral that the full extent of loss affects the bereaved.
Grieving is a natural and important part of coming to terms with and healing this loss and it may continue for several months. There are people in most local churches who have experienced loss and they are often the best people to offer support in the months and years following a death. Ministers may be able to offer help or find others who can provide such friendship and support. There are patterns and themes to bereavement but each person is different and it is important for people to be supported in finding their own way through grief.
Sources of Help
We will be able to offer information and support on all that is needed and in planning the service, the choice of readings, poems, music and hymns.