Life is an accompanied journey, and the experience of God's presence can be conveyed in a very real way by the Church, which is itself a pilgrim people, a people living the journey of life and faith through prayer, worship, celebration and pastoral care.
From its earliest days, the Church has seen the importance of marking significant stages on the journey of life and faith through specific liturgies such as baptism, marriage and funeral services. Services of wholeness and healing have allowed for reflection on God's presence in times of sickness, and the sacrament of reconciliation has offered the hope of forgiveness and renewal at times of difficulty in life. Alongside and complementary to these have developed other forms of service such as:
The Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child - provides for the public or private celebration of a birth or adoption of a child. This may be a step towards Baptism or may stand alone a liturgy of celebration and thankfulness.
Prayer and Dedication after Civil Marriage and
Thanksgiving for Marriage - which may be used appropriately to reaffirm marriage vows to celebrate an anniversary, or after a time of separation or difficulty in marriage.
Service of Prayer and Preparation prior to a Funeral Service and
Memorial Services after a Funeral Service
These liturgies reflect the abiding presence of the faithful God, who is yet ever doing new things and leading his people on through life's pilgrimage.
