Marking significant moments using the traditions of the Church of England, United Reformed Church, and Baptist churches
We are here to mark key life events for all those living or worshipping in our new town of Northstowe, whether or not you are a regular churchgoer.
As a local ecumenical partnership, we can draw on Baptist, United Reformed, and Church of England forms of services to mark births, baptisms, and funerals.
Sometimes, the most important thing will be to mark these events right here in Northstowe: for example, we often celebrate baptisms within our Pathfinder Church Sunday gatherings in the Primary School Hall or grounds. At other times, there is something special at gathering in the beautiful ancient buildings of our sister churches in the 5 folds family. We can also take funerals at the Crematorium or Woodland burial ground.
Our current minister is a Church of England priest, so can perform Church of England weddings (in our local Parish Church) and offer Prayers of Love and Faith to those in same sex relationships (here in Northstowe). We can also connect you with local Baptist or URC ministers if you are looking for a wedding or blessing in a nearby venue using the practices of these traditions.
Full details on our main contact page:
Revd Dr Beth Cope
Church House, 6 Woodpecker Close
Northstowe
CB24 1AW
01954 261181
Read more on our About page
We're using the Honest Church toolkit to show our our inclusive approach makes a difference.
Weddings and Blessings (including Prayers of Love and Faith with same sex couples)
Celebrating your commitment to each other in church is personal, meaningful and spiritual — just as you want it to be.
Churches are special and unique places to get married in – the prayers, promises and the whole service of celebration become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond.
Until we have our own building in Northstowe, we use the beautiful ancient Longstanton Parish Church – all Saint’s Church - to perform Church of England weddings, or help you renew your vows.
We can also offer prayers of blessing after a civil ceremony right here in Northstowe.
While the Church of England does not currently offer same sex marriage, it has recently introduced Prayers of Love and Faith as resources for praying with and for a same-sex couple who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God. To celebrate in God’s presence the commitment two people have made to each other is an occasion for rejoicing. So we can help you express thanksgiving and hope, with prayer that those who are dedicating their life together to God may grow in faith, love and service as God’s blessing rests upon them. Currently, these Prayers of Love and Faith are only licensed for use during regular services: do get in touch to explore the options with us!
Take a look at Your Church Wedding | The Church of England to find out more, and get in touch!
House Blessings
We know well how significant a house move can be, and how often a physical move also marks a transition in life. It is a privilege to be able to pray with and for you as you settle into our new town. We will work with you to shape what this looks like drawing on the richness of the Christian tradition. In particular, the new Church of England Prayers of Love and Faith offers a set of prayers which can be used with or without sprinkling of the water of baptism, oil, or the celebration of communion. Often, the minister will pray with you by the entrance, and in significant rooms (of your choosing).
Funerals
With you every step of the way
We’ll always be here to help you through one of life’s most difficult times.
A Church funeral is available to everyone (whether or not a regular churchgoer), giving support before, during and after the service, for as long as it’s needed. We can hold funerals at the Crematorium, Wooodland Burial Site, or at of the ancient historic church buildings around Northstowe.
Take a look at The Church of England Funerals website, where you can find out more or even light a candle.
And get in touch with us locally to start a conversation — whether you want to talk about planning your own funeral, or are recently bereaved. We’ll also be there for you afterwards: no matter where the funeral took place.
Celebrating new life
There are certain moments in life that take our breath away – in ecstasy, in pain, in beauty, in wonder. The birth of a child is a historic and wondrous moment and a cause for celebration.
Many people are overcome by a sense of awe at the creation of new life and want to express their thanks to God. That is why Christians across the traditions offer services of prayer and blessing. Sometimes people find lighting a candle, perhaps at home, or church — or even online! — a good way to start thanking God for this wonderful gift. Why not give it a try?
Thanksgivings
We always start the celebrations about the birth of a child with a service of Thanksgiving. This can be a few simple prayers in the middle of one of our normal gatherings, or a bigger event. You can read more about these services here but the main thing is to come and meet us in person.
Christenings
For many people, there is also a desire to take the next step and have a Christening. During the christening, your child will be baptised with water. It’s a key step on an amazing journey with God, parents, godparents, friends, family, and the church. A central aspect of Christening is being welcomed into the local church family — symbolic of joining the timeless family of the church around the world and down the generations — so always involves the wider church too. However, you don’t have to have been christened yourself, and you don’t have to have been a regular churchgoer before.At Pathfinder Church, Christenings usually happen several weeks after the Thanksgiving, during one of our main gatherings at the school. We can also celebrate Christenings in the nearby historic church buildings.
If you are interested in a Christening after the Thanksgiving service, we will talk about this when you meet with the minister. We often have several meetings, allowing you to find out more about the really significant promises you will be making, and also helping us as your local church to find out how best we can support you afterwards.
A good place to find out more is churchofenglandchristenings.org, although nothing beats a personal conversation, so please get in touch!
Responding to God’s love as an older child or adult
Whenever it happens, whether as a baby, child or adult, baptism is at the heart of an amazing journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. You are never too old to take this step, and being baptized as an adult is a wonderful experience.You may have been baptized at a christening when you were a child or in a different Christian tradition, and there are always special ways to renew the promises that were made then in a fresh way as you discover more about what it means to live them out in your life.
Come and walk with us at Pathfinder Church, and we’ll be more than happy to talk with you about these next steps.
