As a same-sex couple, can we have a service at all?

Yes!

We are very happy to welcome you for a service of prayer and thanksgiving following a civil marriage at the Registry Office.

Can we get married in St Werburgh’s?

No.

It is not possible for Gay and Lesbian couples to be legally married in a Church of England church.  This is the current legal position and until Parliament and the General Synod of the Church or England  change the law it will not be possible.

Bells? Organ? Photographs? Confetti?

Yes – of course.

What order of service can we use?

We will help you put together a service that is meaningful for you as a couple and that speaks of of God’s love and the wonderful love expressed in your relationship.

So could we register a Civil Partnership in St Werburgh’s?

No – The Church of England does not allow Civil Partnerships to be registered in its churches. If you want a Civil Partnership then you need to have that conducted by a registrar, you could come to church after a Civil Partnership in the same way as following a civil marriage.

What would it cost?

There are no legal fees associated with a service following a Civil Partnership or Marriage. We therefore ask simply for a voluntary contribution of £130 which we ask you to Gift Aid, if possible .

The costs of bells, organist, decorating church, orders of service etc are therefore all the same as for weddings:

Organist: £110

Bells: £150

Booklet: £25

Flowers: Cost varies depending on what you choose.

What does the rest of the church think about same-sex couples being married?

The Church of England like other Christian Churches is made up of different people with divided views about same-sex couples getting married, as they do about lots of things.

Doesn’t the Bible have bad things to say about gay couples? 

The Bible has a lot to say about a lot of things and the clergy and others in the congregation will be happy to chat more about how we understand the Bible in relation to same-sex couples. There are LGBTQ people in our congregation and clergy team. We believe that gay people and straight people are equally blessed and loved by God and that the Bible teaches us that this is so.

It is a gay church then?

St Werburgh’s is a church working to be open, inclusive and welcoming. We don’t think that God’s love is limited – straight people are loved by God just as much as gay and lesbian people are loved by God.

Who do I talk to about this?

Speak to Canon Julian, the Vicar whom you can contact directly using the Contact Us page.