At SPSS we mark important life milestones in community and with time-honoured rituals
Baptism
Baptism is the entrance to our life in the church. By baptism we become members of Christ, and one with him in his death and resurrection. It is a joyous occasion for the whole church when someone wants to become a new person in Christ, and so you will be greeted with a warm and happy welcome.
If you would like baptism for yourself, or for your child, please contact the clergy of St Peter St Simon’s. We will be happy to assist you in preparing for baptism, set a date for the happy occasion.
Our baptism services usually take place on the Sundays most closely associated with the themes of Baptism: The Baptism of Christ (shortly after Christmas), when we remember how at Jesus’ baptism the Spirit came to him from heaven, and set him on the path for his ministry; Easter, when we relive the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the basis for our own baptism; Pentecost (7 weeks after Easter), when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, and gave birth to the church; and All Saints Sunday (first of November), when we rejoice that we all are saints of God, made pure and holy through Baptism.
Confirmation
Many Christians begin their journey as infants or your children. They learn their faith from their parents and other family members, as well as from their larger Christian community in their parish church. When the time comes for them to fully embrace their faith in their own right, the church provides a service of confirmation.
After a time of exploration of their faith with the clergy and with other members of the church, we prepare for the service itself. During a service of confirmation the bishop asks those being confirmed questions about their faith in Christ. They then renew their baptismal covenant, and the bishop provides the ancient rite of laying-on-of-hands, praying with the congregation that the Holy Spirit will be renewed in this person, and that they may be strengthened all the days of their lives as they walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Some prepare for confirmation as they reach adolescence; some in later years. If you would like to find out more about confirmation, please contact the clergy of St Peter St Simon’s.
Weddings
We are happy to have couples come to St Peter St Simon’s to be married. It is not necessary to be a member of SPSS to be married here. We are certain that your positive experience with our staff and volunteers would make SPSS your first choice if at some point you would like to join a church.
We would like to help you have a great start to your married life. We hold dear the opening words of the marriage service, “Marriage is a gift of God, and a means of God’s grace,” and are glad to celebrate with you as you receive that gift.
St Peter St Simon’s is a beautiful building, and a great venue for a wedding service. Our excellent organ, beautiful architecture, and reverent atmosphere, are the perfect setting as you make your vows to each other. After the service, you might like to have photos taken in the garden courtyard. We have a reception hall, along with a well equipped kitchen to enable you to have your meal provided by a caterer, or by family and friends.
Most of all, we want you to be able to focus on each other, as you commit yourselves to one another in this pivotal step in your life.
Contact our clergy to begin making arrangements for your wedding at St Peter St Simon’s.
Funerals & Memorials
We try to make the burden of grief a little easier for you to bear. Whether you are a long time member of St Peter St Simon’s, or have never heard of us before, we want to be able to help you when it is time to commemorate the life of one who has died, to accept the support and comfort of friends, to hand your loved into the loving arms of God, and to pray for God’s support and guidance in the path ahead.
Our clergy meet together with family members, to help both with their current grief, and with planning the service, so that the readings, hymns, and prayers, as well as the words of tribute spoken, all can reflect the life of the one we now commend to God.
Whether the service is in St Peter St Simon’s, or in a funeral home, we work together with all our local funeral directors. Whether the service is followed by cremation or burial, we can provide a fitting service.
St Peter St Simon’s is a place where people begin their journey with God at Baptism, where we celebrate our daily joys as well as those occasional high points in life, such as weddings, and anniversaries, and confirmation. It is therefore fitting that in this same sacred space you say goodbye to your loved one, surrounded by the symbols of faith.
If you would like to plan for your funeral in advance, we are very happy to do that. Choosing the hymns and scriptures for your own funeral service often give a measure of comfort and peace.
