St Mary’s Church Whitegate

© 2010 St Mary’s Church Whitegate Cheshire

Weddings

Marriage is one of the greatest joys of life. Jesus himself was present at a wedding in Cana in Galilee where he performed his very first miracle, changing  water into rich new wine. The transformation of the ordinary and everyday into the extraordinary and eternal is a sign of the transformation of people’s lives that can be brought about by Christian marriage. Christianity understands marriage to be a lifelong commitment, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness or in health, between a man and a women, which is open to the bearing of children. Marriage is a holy estate, a vocation and is a wonderful, challenging and stretching adventure in self-sacrificing love one to the other. St Mary’s is keen to provide proper preparation and support to couples who come to be married.

If you live within the parish boundaries or are a member of the congregation (on the church electoral role) you are very welcome to be married at St Mary’s Church Whitegate. We always encourage people from other parishes, to make their spiritual home in their local parish church. Our church’s location, in a rural setting and a black and white gothic church in mid-cheshire means that the church is in considerable demand for weddings. Marriage is the start of a Christian commitment and so unless you have a legal entitlement to be married in the parish

church (through residence) or are a member of the congregation it would seem sensible for you to seek marriage in the church nearest to your home (check with chester@anglican.org to find your parish church). We are always keen to welcome new members of the congregation and if you were to become part of our Regular worshipping community then we would be happy to consider a future request for marriage at St Mary’s.

If you do not fulfil residence requirements and for whatever reason do not find yourself able to become part of our congregation, we can nevertheless offer a blessing in church after a civil marriage ceremony.

Please note that weddings are strongly discouraged during Lent to allow a greater focus on the austerity of the season and also in Advent until the Feast of the Epipany. Marriage is a way of sharing in Christ’s resurrection and the union between him and his church, so is not suited to the time of year when the church is preparing for the celebration of Easter and Christmas and Epiphany.

For further information, please contact Revd Lesley Eden, Vicar of St Mary’s Whitegate and St Peter’s Little Budworth who will be able to advise of availability of dates, fees, and to assist with preparation for marriage.

Telephone 01606 882151 or email  lesley.eden@stmaryswhitegate.org