Christian Celebration of Life Events
Thanksgiving for Childbirth
Celebration of Adoption
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Thanksgiving for Childbirth
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains a service known as The Thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth; commonly known as Churching of Women.
The service of course, was not so much child centred as mother orientated. In 1662 when childbirth was a real peril, safe delivery was indeed something to give thanks for. Today, the service has disappeared in its original form from our service book, and has been replaced by the rite of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. It speaks firstly of giving thanks, and tells us that God’s purpose is that children should know love, within the stability of their home, grow in faith, and come at last to the eternal city where God’s love reigns supreme. Please contact us for more details.
Halifax copyright acknowledged.
The service of course, was not so much child centred as mother orientated. In 1662 when childbirth was a real peril, safe delivery was indeed something to give thanks for. Today, the service has disappeared in its original form from our service book, and has been replaced by the rite of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. It speaks firstly of giving thanks, and tells us that God’s purpose is that children should know love, within the stability of their home, grow in faith, and come at last to the eternal city where God’s love reigns supreme. Please contact us for more details.
Halifax copyright acknowledged.
Thanksgiving for Adoption
Adoption is a long and often painful process and a cause for celebration and thanks giving.
This service is provided for a number of different occasions:
It is designed to meet the needs of:
This service is provided for a number of different occasions:
- the private celebration of a birth or adoption, at home or in church with only family and close friends present
- the public celebration of the birth or adoption of a number of children, perhaps in church on a Sunday afternoon
- the public celebration of the birth or adoption of a number of children as part of a main Sunday act of worship
It is designed to meet the needs of:
- parents who see this as a preliminary to baptism
- parents who do not wish their children to be baptized immediately
- others, who do not ask for baptism, but who recognize that something has happened for which they wish to give thanks to God
Thanksgiving for Marriage
We are always delighted to offer couples the opportunity to renew or
reaffirm their wedding vows to each other.
This may be to celebrate an anniversary, such as a silver, ruby or golden wedding. It may also be something couples wish to do after a time of separation or difficulty in their marriage.
You are likely to have many questions about renewing your wedding vows at one of our churches. You are always welcome to discuss your plans with one of the clergy, but we have compiled some of the common questions that we are often asked to get you started.
This may be to celebrate an anniversary, such as a silver, ruby or golden wedding. It may also be something couples wish to do after a time of separation or difficulty in their marriage.
You are likely to have many questions about renewing your wedding vows at one of our churches. You are always welcome to discuss your plans with one of the clergy, but we have compiled some of the common questions that we are often asked to get you started.