United Benefice of Bishop's Cannings, Etchilhampton & All Cannings

Baptism

Confirmation

Marriage

Funerals & burials

Other religious activities

Baptism

We have an open policy regarding baptism (christening):
all who live within the United Benefice boundaries are entitled to be baptised here, following a short period of instruction.

The recommended times for baptism are:
St Mary’s Church: 10.00am during either
the Family Communion Service on the 1st Sunday
or the Come & Praise Family Service on the 3rd Sunday
of each month.
All Saints’ Church: 10.00am during the Family Communion Service on the 1st Sunday of each month or 2.00pm (private service)
St Andrew’s Church: between 2.00pm and 3.00pm

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Confirmation

Confirmation services are held in Salisbury Cathedral and in the deaneries.

For information about baptism or confirmation, contact the parish administrator on 01380 860650.

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Marriage

Eligibility to marry in the Parish Church

For a couple to be eligible to marry in the parish church least one of couple must meet at least one of the following five criteria:

must either live or have lived within the Parish Boundary for at least six months

was baptised in the parish church

is able to demonstrate that he or she has a parent or guardian who lives or has lived in the parish for a period of at least six months

must be on the church electoral roll. To be admitted to the church electoral roll when living outside the parish you must habitually attend services here for a six-month period

has a parent who has habitually attended public worship in this parish church for a period of at least six months.

If either party to be married has a previous marriage partner still living, please speak to the vicar as there is a slightly different procedure.

Banns

Banns are a legal requirement. They are the public declaration of your intention to marry. They must be read in your parish church for three consecutive Sundays within the three months immediately prior to the wedding.

At St Mary’s Church, Bishop’s Cannings, we read the banns at the beginning of the 10.00am service.

At All Saints’ Church, All Cannings and at St. Andrew’s Church, Etchilhampton the banns are called at the beginning of the morning service (10.00am at All Cannings and 9.30am at Etchilhampton) or 6pm evensong - please check with the parish office regarding service times as they do change!

Hearing the Banns called

You do not have to be present when the banns are called, but it is reassuring to know that they have been called! If one party lives in a different parish from where the wedding will be held, the banns must be called in that parish also, and a banns certificate will be required from that parish. The banns certificate is obtained from the priest who called the banns.

For all enquiries for marriage, including those seeking remarriage after divorce, please phone the parish administrator: 01380 860650

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Funerals & burials

Funerals

Liz and Scott offer sensitive bereavement care, visiting the bereaved and working with them to produce an appropriate service either in church or at the crematorium.

The right to burial

If the deceased was resident within the parish boundaries he or she is entitled to be buried in the appropriate churchyard. At All Cannings the churchyard is closed for burials but there is a public cemetery on the edge of All Cannings village. All three churchyards have a space set aside for the interment of cremated remains.

Headstones and memorials

The Church of England sets strict regulations concerning the size, material, design and inscriptions of headstones erected in their churchyards. The regulations may be inspected on application to the Salisbury Diocesan Registry. Phone 01722 411141.

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