The Church of The Ascension
Peacehaven and Telscombe
Cliffs
Other Services
Baptism
We are glad when people think about the Baptism (or, to use the commonly-used term, Christening)
of their baby. We hope that this is a sign of the importance of God in their family’s life.
The Christian act of Baptism is described as a Sacrament - which means that it is an outward and
visible sign of God’s love - and requires that parents acknowledge that the baby belongs not
just to them, but also to God. As every person is precious to God, our heavenly Father,
Baptism does not only show the parents’ belief in God - but, also, it shows God’s belief in them
and their family.
Baptism is, therefore, important both to the Church, to the person being Baptised - and, to
their family who will support him / her. To help them understand more about it - and, to
prepare for the commitment they will make at a Baptism Service - we expect parents (and
godparents, if possible):
· to attend our Baptism Enquirers’ classes. (Now, if it is difficult for them to get in
child-sitters to cover for the time they are both at these classes, we suggest that parents
come separately to successive ones.)
· to attend our normal Sunday Services - with their family!
All Baptisms are conducted within the normal structure of the Church’s Sunday morning worship
pattern - to a pre-determined set of dates. However, a date for the actual Baptism is not
negotiated until parents have completed the preparation described above.
Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child
For parents who are not ready to undertake the commitment required of Baptism for
their child, we offer a short act of Thanksgiving in which we express our corporate thanks to
God for this precious gift - while, at the same time, celebrating and rejoicing with friends.
Marriage Services
A couple are entitled to be married in the Church of England parish Church where
one or other lives - provided that neither has been married before or has a spouse still living.
This means for anyone living within the geography of Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs, the Church
of the Ascension is the parish Church for any such Marriages to take place. But, if an
individual is an active, worshipping member of another Church of England parish Church
congregation, it us usually possible to be married there - provided the member’s name is
registered on that Church’s Electoral Roll.
Re-Marriage Services
Banns of Marriage
Funeral Services
The Church’s teaching on Marriage is that it is a life-long partnership, ended only by the death of one party. At the Church of the Ascension, we would want to uphold this Biblical principle. However, we recognise that circumstances can arise whereby couples separate and divorce, leaving the individual parties free to marry again. As for the Church of England as a whole, we are prepared to meet with couples to look at their individual situation to see whether any grounds might exist for a divorced person to marry in Church.
To ensure the legality of a Church Marriage, Banns of Marriage need to be read out in the parish
Church where each of the couple lives, as well as in the Church in which they will be married,
during a period of three months prior to the date of the Marriage Service. Banns of Marriage
are an announcement of the intended Marriage and give a chance for anyone to put forward a
reason as to why the Marriage may not lawfully take place. Banns of Marriage are read out in
the main Church Service on three separate Sundays.
When someone dies within the geography of Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs, the Church of the
Ascension tries to help with the provision of a minister and / or facilities for the funeral
when requested. However, lacking a Churchyard, no burials are permitted in Church grounds and
limited facilities exist for the Interment of Ashes.