Looking for God?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
Christians believe that it is possible to have a relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ. We seek to deepen that relationship by following the teachings of Jesus, and to enjoy the encouragement with other Christians through the life of the Church.
For Christians God is understood and known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Father… God is love, caring for creation and for every human being as God's beloved child.
Son… God is as he has revealed himself to be in the historical person of Jesus Christ. Jesus' life, death and resurrection holds the key to knowing and loving God, and to making sense of life, before and after death.
and Holy Spirit… God is alive, loving and active today, inspiring faith, justice and truth, sustaining the life of the world, giving spiritual gifts to the church and bearing his spiritual fruit in the world - changed lives and a transformed society.
Find out more
To find out more about Jesus online, why not visit www.rejesus.co.uk, and www.christianity.org.uk? There also some stories about faith on the Church of England website.
But because Christianity is about relationship and community, the best way to find out about faith and prayer, to raise questions and to get help, is to meet some Christians. The Church of England is just one of the Christian churches in this country. We seek to work alongside other Christian churches and denominations as closely as we can. Why not visit your local Anglican church? For details of your parish, visit A Church Near You.
Christenings, weddings and funerals
The Church is here for you at these special times in your life.
Weddings
If you are considering a church wedding, we would love to help you create a service
which is meaningful and personal to you.
Download here Thinking about a Church wedding - a list of frequently asked questions about getting married in the Church of England.
Further information and guidance on the marriage service itself is also available from your local vicar or from the Church of England website.
To get in touch with your local parish priest, visit A Church Near You and locate your parish church. The Church of England has recently make it easier for couples to marry in a church where they have a family or other special connection, even if they don’t live there, so do talk to your vicar about your plans.
Other resources
Music and Readings for your wedding
Non-Biblical readings for your ceremony
www.yourchurchwedding.org Celebrating the new law that makes it easier to marry in church, this website contains case studies of real weddings, a wedding planner, information about marriage, the ceremony, choosing music and more.
Christenings
In baptism, you as parents are thanking God for his gift of life, deciding to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church's support. For more information, visit the Church of England website.
Alternatively contact your local parish priest. Details of your local church may be found at A Church Near You.
Funerals
A funeral is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping.
The funeral service of the Church of England can be very short and quiet with only a few members of the family present or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church.
Whatever the pattern of service, the words and actions all speak of a loving God and the preciousness to Him of every human being.
For more information visit the Church of England website.
