Weddings

Weddings, Wedding Blessings
& Prayers of Love and Faith for Same-sex Couples

wedding-rings

We would love to help you celebrate such a precious event in your life and everyone is welcome at St Mary’s. People have all sorts of wonky ideas about getting married in church (no, you don't need to be christened, for example) and it needn't cost the earth - honestly - so please get in touch if you have any questions. The website www.yourchurchwedding.org is a good place to look, too.

First steps
To inquire about dates for your marriage, please contact our Parish Co-ordinator, Elena. Once you've been in touch, she will arrange to meet with you to fill in a short and simple form, fix a date and get the ball rolling.

You'll then be advised which member of our lovely clergy team will be officiating on your Big Day and you'll be invited to meet them and talk through what is involved, and how we can make the ceremony as meaningful, joyful and authentic as possible. It is also a valuable opportunity to discuss the bigger questions of love, faith, life, the universe and everything.

Some of the happiest weddings we have hosted have been where one or both people have been previously married (or in a civil partnership) and God has given them a second chance. Please discuss this with the Rector when you meet him.

Wedding blessings
It may be that you have just had a civil wedding (a ‘registry office’ marriage) in this country or you have been married abroad but would like your marriage to be blessed in church, if this is case, please talk to Revd Paul and he can advise you on what the church can offer you. They are always very happy and meaningful occasions!

Celebrating Same-Sex couples
As the Bible says, 'God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them' (1 John 4). We are delighted that the Church of England has introduced Prayers of Love & Faith for same-sex couples who wish to give thanks for, and mark that love in faith, before God. These prayers are offered to express thanksgiving and hope, that those who are dedicating their life together may grow in faith, love and service and know God’s blessing. At the current time, such a happy event must take place within an existing service - additional resources and options will be available shortly, we hope - but contact Revd Paul on rector@stmaryslinton.org.uk and he'll be pleased to meet and discuss with you how to celebrate the love God has planted in your hearts.

Charges
There are various charges for your wedding: the wedding itself and additional charges for extras such as ringing of the church bells, flowers, organist, choir and hire of the Pavilion depending on what you have chosen.

Elena will explain current fees, based on those published by the Church of England in the January of the year in which your wedding will take place. Before this, we will be able to give you a ‘ball-park figure’. A very useful source of information about Church of England weddings in general, and how you can make yours really special can be found on the Church of England website

Ancient roots…
Celebrating your love for one another in church is personal, meaningful and spiritual and it’s a privilege for us to welcome you to this ancient place to do so. You will be following in the footsteps of countless people who, over a thousand years, have stood together on these stones before their closest friends and family, and God who brought them together, to pledge their love and begin an exciting new chapter of their lives.

We look forward to hearing from you.

For more details please contact our Parish Co-ordinator, Elena or Revd Paul on rector@stmaryslinton.org.uk or 01223 455098.

This webpage updated 13th March 2024

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

Welcome to St Mary's, Linton

Where and When

Our main service is 10am every Sunday, after an early said Holy Communion in traditional language at 8am, but there are a number of other ways we meet, both in church (details here) and in homes and other venues across our community. There is some parking on Church Lane, or on the High St, or Medical Centre car park, just a few minutes walk away. If you're new or visiting us, do say hello to one of our welcomers on the door.

The 10am is usually an hour long, sometimes less, and we serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the 10am service, apart from Cafe Church - every fourth Sunday morning - where coffee, etc is served before we begin. All refreshments are free, but donations to keeping our ancient church open for everyone are always appreciated. Thanks.

Other types of worship offer contemplative space (The Well, every second Sunday evening at 6pm), Taize worship, as well as prayer for healing (Services of Hope and Healing) where blessing with anointing is available. Evensong (BCP) takes place in Bartlow, 5 minutes drive from Linton, every third Sunday at 6pm. We are very active in our community and host school worship - our Infant School meet here every Friday in term time - and a range of special events (such as a recent Vigil for Ukraine).

St M's is open every day of the year (c9.30am-4pm), for locals and visitors alike. Many people drop by to light a candle, or to find some quiet, or to read or draw with their child or grandchild. Dogs are most welcome, too.

Celebrating life events

If you're visiting our website because you would like to arrange a wedding, funeral or Christening, do contact us. We'd love to help you mark these precious times in your life and the lives of your loved ones. It doesn't matter if you are not a churchgoer - all are welcome here.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a loo in the Pavilion (which has wheelchair access) at the back of the church.

Young people

We really value worshipping God all together as a family. There is an area in the south aisle dedicated to children and their carers, which allows them to take part in the service, while also having books, drawing materials, toys and other resources to hand. We really don't mind if your child makes a noise - they are as welcome as anyone else!

There are other activities, like Messy Church and Tots in Tow, that nurture young people's faith in positive and caring ways. More info can be found on this site.

Children

Root & Branch (RnB) Groups

Being part of one of our small groups is a great way to make new friends, share questions of life and faith and explore the Bible. No previous experience necessary. Four groups meet across the Linton Parishes; three in homes across Linton. Usually, we meet fortnightly, in 'terms' of around four or five dates. Check out our Small Groups and see if there’s a time that works for you, and let us know if you'd like to come along.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Peace and blessings,

Revd Paul