Contents
- Home
- Synod update
- News
- Synod welcomes Dr Williams’s robust defence
- Lambeth endures protests and Page 3 girls in sharia row
- Synod expresses its grave concern about gambling
- Dr Sentamu warns of humanitarian crisis in Kenya
- Iraq flags up symbolic changes
- Free to wed in Essex
- Report condemns violence in Orissa and calls for enquiry
- TAP Leaflets
- Chartres says Damilola deportation ‘ridiculous’
- Do not underestimate other faiths, says report
- More bridge-building moves made in Northern Ireland
- News in Brief
- Bristol to have first of new music academies
- Royal coins switch to N. Ireland
- Child asylum-seekers ‘living in fear’
- Is there anybody there?
- Chaplain to be made bishop
- Guilt-free pleasure
- Scientists criticise Intelligent Design
- Lincoln sells Da Vinci Code replica ‘abbey’
- Members of WCC admit to failings
- Rudd’s apology praised by Freier
- Heat haze
- Bible survey finds gulf between leaders and led
- John Reaney awarded £47,000
- Royal witness
- Question of the week
- Synod reports
- Comment
- Letters
- Real Life
- Features
- Faith
- Humour and crossword
- Pastimes
- Books
- Arts
- Media
- Gazette
 back to News |
 previous story
|
next story 
|
Free to wed in Essex
by Rachel Harden
 | An Essex church has used St Valentine’s Day to promote its new “free” wedding policy. Holy Trinity, Springfield, in Chelmsford, is committed to paying the wedding fees for any couple who wants to get married in the church. The PCC approved the plans last year, but has used 14 February to promote the scheme, which will be bound by Church of England regulations. “We are not expecting queues of couples, as, of course, they still have to be resident in the parish or be a church member,” said the Vicar, the Revd Tim Ball (pictured, left) on Tuesday. Holy Trinity has a couple of weddings a year on average, but hopes to improve on this. “As a church, we are committed to marriage, and believe it is the best relationship for a couple and those with a family, so we are investing in the future of our community.” |
| He said that the church hoped to attract couples who may think it is too expensive to get married, as well as those who might not have considered it before. “Cost can be a big issue, and this way we cover the church fees, including the organist, verger, and so on, and we also offer our hall, which can be hired at a very reasonable rate.” Mr Ball said he had no idea when the scheme would end, but said it could cost the church thousands of pounds, as fees for each wedding were usually about £250. |
.gif "Caris Magazine for girls aged 11 to 16 © site")