Dear Friends,
One of the things I very soon learnt about the Church of England whilst training to become a priest was that it is very like a giant ocean going liner in that it takes a huge amount of time and effort to start it or to get it to change course. Nothing happens instantly and if one was to say something had changed quickly then you are likely to be talking in terms of years rather than decades!! That is, of course, no bad thing. Something that has hundreds of years of history and tradition behind it should not simply change any part without very careful thought and reflection.
So it is with some excitement when one sees headlines announcing a major change not only in the church press but in the national press as well and, in case you did not notice, that has happened recently. The General Synod, the decision making body of the CofE, has after years of thought and debate changed the rules relating to what is required to enable a couple to get married in a specific parish church. Up until now, well to be accurate until the 1st October, to get married in a specific parish church required at least one of the couple to either live in the parish or be a regular attendee at the parish church for at least 6 months and to be on the church electoral roll, plus various other provisos which will still apply.
As from the 1st October there are much wider qualifying connections which can be relied upon. Nothing is quite as straightforward as it seems and it is not surprising that there are copious guidelines for Ministers to study but in essence if either person wishing to be married in a parish church qualifies because of any one of the following then at least the residential hurdle can be overcome:-
a) Been baptised in that church, or b) Been confirmed and that confirmation is entered in the register of that parish, or c) A parent or Grandparent was married in the church, or d) the parish has been at some time the usual place of residence for at least 6 months, or e) A parent has had their place of residence in the parish at some time for at least 6 months, or f) One of the couple wishing to be married has habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months, or g) A parent has habitually attend public worship in the parish for at least 6 months during the lifetime of one of the couple.
Well you didn’t think it would be simple did you!! The above, I have to warn you, is but a rough guideline and other issues come into play such as previous marriage etc. The answer to anyone wishing to get married in a specific CofE parish church is to go and see the Vicar and find out all about it. There is at least much more opportunity for those who have good reason to choose a particular church to hope that it now may legally be possible.
Gosh that’s all very formal stuff for this months letter. Let me just finish by encouraging anyone in a long term relationship to come and have a chat about marriage. Contrary to some gloom merchants it is still the most wonderful way to form a lifelong relationship. And if you are lucky enough to be coming up to a special wedding anniversary why not think about having a service in church to give thanks to God and to ask for His continued blessing on you both. What a splendid way to celebrate years of married life.
God bless you and those you love,
John Baxter
