Arlington, Berwick, Selmeston with Alciston and Wilmington Churches
Marriages
Marriage Policy / The Marriage Service / Remarriage of Divorcees / Marriage Blessing / Marriage Resources / Wedding Prayers / Bible Readings / Wedding Poems and Reflections / Hymns
Because of the laws relating to marriage, in order to be married in one of the parish churches of either Berwick, Selmeston or Alciston a person must have a ‘Qualifying Connection’. That person:
- Was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation); or
- Had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish; or
- Has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- Has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- A Parent of that person has at any time during that person’s lifetime:
- Had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- Habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- A Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
At the beginning of the service there is an explanation of the church’s understanding of the spiritual meaning of marriage. The marriage service can be found here.
The current policy of the Incumbent is that couples cannot have a marriage service in any of the churches if either of the couple is divorced. A Marriage Blessing is offered instead and for this service the conditions of marriage above do not apply.
A service of ‘Prayer and Dedication Following a Civil Marriage’ otherwise known as a ‘Marriage Blessing’ is free from the conditions set out for marriage and the priest is glad to discuss this service with any couples. This order of service can be found here.
Marriage Resources
For information about marriage preparation resources, please see Flame Family website
here.
For details of Wedding Flowers at Berwick Church, please click here
A sample
Order of Service is available here
A marriage application form is available here:
Microsoft Word (.doc) Adobe PDF
The following Bible Readings, Hymns and Poems are possible suggestions taken from
‘Readings for Weddings’ -
A list of suitable prayers that couples may choose from if they wish can be found here.
It is usual to have one or two Bible readings; a Psalm can also be chosen and said
by the whole congregation.
The most popular readings are shown in bold type. (Click
on reference to follow link.)
Old Testament Readings
Genesis 1:26-
Psalm
121
Psalm 128
Psalm 150
Song of Solomon 2:8-
New Testament Readings
Matthew 5:1-
1
Corinthians 13:1-
Please click here for some possible poems and reflections -
(Click on title to follow link.)
All things bright and beautiful
And did those feet in ancient time
Angel-
Come down, O Love divine
Dear Lord and
Father of mankind
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
He who would valiant be
I danced in
the morning
Immortal, invisible, God only wise
King of glory, King of peace
Lead us,
heavenly Father, lead us
Let all the world in every corner sing
Lord of all hopefulness
Love
Divine, all loves excelling
Make me a channel of your peace
Morning has broken
Now thank
we all our God
O Jesus, I have promised
O Love that wilt not let me go
O perfect Love,
all human thought transcending
O praise ye the Lord!
O thou who camest from above
O
worship the King
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
Tell out, my soul