Christenings, weddings and other big occasions in the life of a Christian
We're here to mark the important moments in your family's life with a service. At both of our churches, St George’s in Notting Hill and St John’s in Shepherd’s Bush, we celebrate christenings, first communion, confirmation and weddings, and we conduct funerals.
Christenings, First Communion & Confirmation | Weddings | Funerals
Special Church Services for Babies and Children
Christenings
A Christening is about becoming a follower of Christ in his church. This can begin at any point during the course of a person’s life.
In accordance with Church of England practice, anyone who lives in the parish or who is, or intends to become, a regular worshipper is welcome to be Christened.
Preparation sessions are held several times a year, and the parents are expected to attend the one closest to the Christening.
For more on Christenings, download our christening info pack.
First Communion
First communion is admission to the sacrament of holy communion before a child reaches the age of confirmation.
This can be done at any time from the age of 7 upwards, with consent from both parent and child.
First communion takes place once a year usually at the feast of Pentecost or Corpus Christi Sunday after a preparation course in which the seriousness and importance of the sacrament will be explored.
Confirmation
What is confirmation? The meaning is in the name – it is publicly confirming or embracing promises made at your baptism.
Preparation is best done in a group, and we will arrange dates based on the number of people awaiting a confirmation service.
Get in touch
To enquire about any of these special services for children, please contact us:
Weddings
Weddings at St George’s and St John’s Churches
Shepherd’s Bush and Notting Hill, London
Our wedding pack has lots of information about organising your wedding, including readings, hymn suggestions, fees and music suggestions.
You can get married at either church by fulfilling at least one of the three following legal requirements:
If one or both of you live in the parish (use the parish finder to check)
If one or both of you are regular worshippers at church for at least six months and on the church's electoral roll
If one or both of you have some other connection to the parish such as your parents were married here or you were baptised here.
Other useful links regarding church weddings:
www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/weddings
www.yourchurchwedding.org
Enquire about a wedding service
If you would like to get married at St George’s or St John the Baptist, do contact us as soon as possible, to ensure the church is free on the date you have in mind.
Funerals
Funeral Services at St George’s or St John the Baptist
Funerals are a very important way of marking the close of a human life on earth.
Funerals are an opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to gather up the threads of the life of the deceased, to give thanks for them and to commend them to God's keeping.
As Christians, we believe that death marks not the end of life, but a new beginning as we move from earthly life to a greater life with God.
Practical tips regarding funeral services
If you would like a service in church then the first people to speak to are the clergy
If you do not belong to a particular church, after registering the death, the funeral director of your choice can tell you which parish you belong to and put you in touch with the vicar.
If you want the clergy to lead the service please do not book a date at the crematorium or cemetery until you have agreed a date and time with the clergy, otherwise they may not be available.
We are also happy to conduct memorial services.
Funeral service downloads
Funeral pack - with readings, hymns and anthem suggestions, and details of florists and printers
Contact us about a funeral service
When someone close to you dies, arranging a funeral may not feel the easiest thing to do. We are here to help whatever pattern of service you want, be that in church, a crematorium or a burial.