StIppolyts Church Guidelines

Any enquiries for baptisms, please
phone Reverend Ann Hitchin 457552.

Parents will be asked to come to a Baptism preparation evening ( held every other month) at which we explore the symbolism involved in the service of Baptism, discuss what it means to be Baptised, and book the date for your child's baptism. Baptisms will take place within the usual morning service, ie. if on the 1st Sunday of the month at the 11am All Age service, if on other Sundays at 9.30am Sung Eucharist. Dates will be made at the discretion of the incumbent after consulting with parents.

Getting Married at St.Ippolyts Church

Who can be married in St.Ippolyts Church?

Everyone who is unmarried (or widowed) and who lives in the parish has a right to be married in this church.

Anyone who lives elsewhere but is a member of St. Ippolyts church. Brides (and in exceptional cases grooms) who live and customarily worship elsewhere may be married provided that their family home is in the parish.

Alternatively such people living elsewhere, but with a particular connection here, may be married by special licence.

Those who have been divorced and whose previous spouse is still alive and who still reside in the parish should consult the vicar, who has discretion in the matter.

Who By ?

Normally the vicar will conduct marriages. While couples may wish to invite another minister to have some part in the service, they may do so only with the express permission of the vicar, and after he has had a chance to discuss the service with the proposed minister. While St. Ippolyts church is open to ministers of other traditions, they must be sensitive to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England

When ?

Those intending to be married here will normally give good notice, as they have other arrangements to make. The minimum notice is three clear Sundays before the proposed date, to enable the banns to be called.

How much Does it cost ?

Details available from the vicar.

Enabling the Marriage to Happen

The normal way of enabling the marriage to happen is by the 'calling of banns'. On three Sundays within three months of the proposed wedding the couple's banns are called during the main Sunday morning service (9.30 or 11.00am) and must also be called in the parish where the other party lives, or is on the electoral roll. In every case the banns must be called in the parish of both bride and groom. Provided that 'no objection is alleged', the marriage may take place here. Couples are strongly urged to be present on at least one occasion so that the congregation can see who they are and join in praying for their marriage. The banns certificate from elsewhere must be shown to the officiating minister here.

In certain circumstances couples not involved in divorce may be married by 'common licence' or 'special licence'

Preparation and Rehearsal

The vicar will arrange a meeting to discuss the marriage and the practical arrangements. There is also a wedding rehearsal, on a convenient date a few days before the marriage, involving those with an active part in the ceremony, by which time fees must be paid.

Order of Service

It is not essential to have an Order of Service printed, but if there is one, it should be discussed beforehand with the officiating minister and a draft copy checked by the minister and organist before going to print.

Copyright for the order of service is the responsibility of the couple to be married. The church holds a CCL licence which should cover the majority of requirements. Copyright issues should be discussed with the organist.

Whenever a hymn/song, for which the copyright still exists, is reproduced, it is essential to state immediately below the words the name of the author, the year the copyright began and the name of the owner - in the following form:

Author
© year owner

If only one copyright hymn/song is reproduced, the above information should be followed by:

CCL Licence no 283053

If there are two or more copyright hymns/songs reproduced, the following acknowledgement should appear at the end of the sheet:

All songs covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL Licence no 283053

Whenever material from the Alternative Service Book is reproduced, the following acknowledgement should appear at the end of the text:
The Alternative Service Book 1980, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England.

If material from Common Worship is used the following acknowledgement shall appear at the end of the sheet:

Couples should also agree in advance which marriage service they want, and whether to have one ring or two.

Music

It is our custom at St Ippolyts to plan the music for your wedding well in advance and couples are encouraged to contact the Organist, Derek Cann (Hitchin 453186) to arrange a meeting to discuss the requirements. The most suitable times are after either Morning or Evening Services. It is important that the form of service has been agreed with the minister so that the music can be fitted into the framework of the service.

We use the 'Common Praise’ hymnbook. A couple having a printed service sheet may choose other suitable material for singing.

Couples may also wish to bring in solo singers or instrumentalists and this should be discussed with the organist who will advise on what is possible and any extra fees payable.

Other points to be borne in mind are:

The aisle is very short so any piece of music played at the entrance of the bride will last a maximum of 60 seconds.
If music is requested other than that already in the choir or organist’s repertoire, a copy must be available 4 weeks before the date of the wedding.

Ushers

They signal to the organist when the bride is ready to enter the Church by operating the signal light switch by the south door and checking that this has been acknowledged by the organist.

If bells have been requested, they ensure that any guests sitting in the Baptistry area are advised that they will be asked to vacate their places and move to the north aisle during the last hymn, so that the bell ringers can gain access to the ringing area.

Advise people, if required, of the availability of the churchyard toilets

Photography and sound or video recording

There is to be no photography during the service. It is the business of the ushers to remove photographers from the church before it begins, and to see that the bride, once arrived at the lych gate, comes in on time. Any delay for photography will mean the omission of one or more hymns. Given half an inch, professional wedding photographers will take an all, and spoil the day for everybody. In planning your wedding, check with the vicar, before commissioning, that the photographer of your choice is on the parish approved list. Without such consent, no photography will be allowed until after the ceremony.
As St. Ippolyts Church is small and somewhat congested, there are only two positions from which a video can be taken - the Vicar will advise where these are. If a sound or video recording is to be made an extra fee is payable and copyright considerations must also be addressed.

Confetti

As the Churchyard is consecrated ground only biodegradable (not paper) confetti can be thrown in the Churchyard, but confetti can be thrown as the Bride and Groom leave the Lych Gate. A returnable deposit is now charged to cover possible needs for clearance of paper confetti from the churchyard.

Flowers

The Friends of St Ippolyts put an arrangement of flowers by the altar and pulpit each week except during Advent and Lent, when there are none. A flower rota can be found in the church porch, and the bride is invited to approach the ladies on it at the date of the marriage. If she wants additional displays she will be expected to supply and arrange them herself.

Parking

Parking is not permitted outside the lych gate. The school car park should be used (except Monday - Friday in term time) and the School Governors have requeste that a fee be paid directly to them. Please contact the school secretary on Hitchin 432080.

Collection

During the service there is no collection. However, couples are encouraged to name a charity of their choice, to which the proceeds of a plate by the door will be split equally with the church.

St.Ippolyts Parocial Church Council Child Protection Policy

Policy

It is the policy of the Parochial Church Council to safeguard the welfare of all children involved with organisations responsible to it.

The Aims

The aims of the Policy are threefold:

To accept and endorse the principles of the Children’s Act 1989 and the House of Bishop’s document “Protecting all God’s Children” (PAGC)
Recognise that it is the responsibility of the whole church community to ensure that children feel welcome, valued and safe
To protect children from harm

Implementation

The PCC will ensure that all those who have responsibility to the PCC for children will have undergone the following procedure

We will ensure that every job applicant, whether they are paid or volunteers, working with children will undergo the necessary checks and will have been approved to work with children
Be given a defined role whether paid or volunteer
They shall complete an application form
Name two referees, one of which should be from their current employer or previous church whenever possible
Complete a confidential declaration form as shown in PAGC
Have an appropriate interview
If decision is made to appoint, appointee must provide a disclosure at the appropriate level from the Criminal Records Bureau
Be formally commissioned in their role once appointment confirmed
Have regular reviews – at least annually

Review

This Policy will be subject to annual review

The person responsible to the PCC for implementation to be the Roger Cox (Churchwarden), H 432445

Any suspicions or allegations will be handled according to the recommendations of PAGC

Who can be married in St.Ippolyts Church? Everyone who is unmarried (or widowed) and who lives in the parish has a right to be married in this church. Anyone who lives elsewhere but is a member of St. Ippolyts church. Brides (and in exceptional cases grooms) who live and customarily worship elsewhere may be married provided that their family home is in the parish. Alternatively such people living elsewhere, but with a particular connection here, may be married by special licence. Those who have been divorced and whose previous spouse is still alive and who still reside in the parish should consult the vicar, who has discretion in the matter.	Who By ? Normally the vicar will conduct marriages. While couples may wish to invite another minister to have some part in the service, they may do so only with the express permission of the vicar, and after he has had a chance to discuss the service with the proposed minister. While St. Ippolyts church is open to ministers of other traditions, they must be sensitive to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England	When ? Those intending to be married here will normally give good notice, as they have other arrangements to make. The minimum notice is three clear Sundays before the proposed date, to enable the banns to be called.
How much Does it cost ? Details available from the vicar.	Enabling the Marriage to Happen The normal way of enabling the marriage to happen is by the 'calling of banns'. On three Sundays within three months of the proposed wedding the couple's banns are called during the main Sunday morning service (9.30 or 11.00am) and must also be called in the parish where the other party lives, or is on the electoral roll. In every case the banns must be called in the parish of both bride and groom. Provided that 'no objection is alleged', the marriage may take place here. Couples are strongly urged to be present on at least one occasion so that the congregation can see who they are and join in praying for their marriage. The banns certificate from elsewhere must be shown to the officiating minister here. In certain circumstances couples not involved in divorce may be married by 'common licence' or 'special licence'	Preparation and Rehearsal The vicar will arrange a meeting to discuss the marriage and the practical arrangements. There is also a wedding rehearsal, on a convenient date a few days before the marriage, involving those with an active part in the ceremony, by which time fees must be paid.
Order of Service It is not essential to have an Order of Service printed, but if there is one, it should be discussed beforehand with the officiating minister and a draft copy checked by the minister and organist before going to print. Copyright for the order of service is the responsibility of the couple to be married. The church holds a CCL licence which should cover the majority of requirements. Copyright issues should be discussed with the organist. Whenever a hymn/song, for which the copyright still exists, is reproduced, it is essential to state immediately below the words the name of the author, the year the copyright began and the name of the owner - in the following form: Author © year owner If only one copyright hymn/song is reproduced, the above information should be followed by: CCL Licence no 283053 If there are two or more copyright hymns/songs reproduced, the following acknowledgement should appear at the end of the sheet: All songs covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL Licence no 283053 Whenever material from the Alternative Service Book is reproduced, the following acknowledgement should appear at the end of the text: The Alternative Service Book 1980, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England. If material from Common Worship is used the following acknowledgement shall appear at the end of the sheet: Common Worship: Marriage material from which is included in this service is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000 Couples should also agree in advance which marriage service they want, and whether to have one ring or two.	Music It is our custom at St Ippolyts to plan the music for your wedding well in advance and couples are encouraged to contact the Organist, Derek Cann (Hitchin 453186) to arrange a meeting to discuss the requirements. The most suitable times are after either Morning or Evening Services. It is important that the form of service has been agreed with the minister so that the music can be fitted into the framework of the service. We use the 'Common Praise’ hymnbook. A couple having a printed service sheet may choose other suitable material for singing. Couples may also wish to bring in solo singers or instrumentalists and this should be discussed with the organist who will advise on what is possible and any extra fees payable. Other points to be borne in mind are: The aisle is very short so any piece of music played at the entrance of the bride will last a maximum of 60 seconds. If music is requested other than that already in the choir or organist’s repertoire, a copy must be available 4 weeks before the date of the wedding.	Ushers They signal to the organist when the bride is ready to enter the Church by operating the signal light switch by the south door and checking that this has been acknowledged by the organist. If bells have been requested, they ensure that any guests sitting in the Baptistry area are advised that they will be asked to vacate their places and move to the north aisle during the last hymn, so that the bell ringers can gain access to the ringing area. Advise people, if required, of the availability of the churchyard toilets
Photography and sound or video recording There is to be no photography during the service. It is the business of the ushers to remove photographers from the church before it begins, and to see that the bride, once arrived at the lych gate, comes in on time. Any delay for photography will mean the omission of one or more hymns. Given half an inch, professional wedding photographers will take an all, and spoil the day for everybody. In planning your wedding, check with the vicar, before commissioning, that the photographer of your choice is on the parish approved list. Without such consent, no photography will be allowed until after the ceremony. As St. Ippolyts Church is small and somewhat congested, there are only two positions from which a video can be taken - the Vicar will advise where these are. If a sound or video recording is to be made an extra fee is payable and copyright considerations must also be addressed.	Confetti As the Churchyard is consecrated ground only biodegradable (not paper) confetti can be thrown in the Churchyard, but confetti can be thrown as the Bride and Groom leave the Lych Gate. A returnable deposit is now charged to cover possible needs for clearance of paper confetti from the churchyard.	Flowers The Friends of St Ippolyts put an arrangement of flowers by the altar and pulpit each week except during Advent and Lent, when there are none. A flower rota can be found in the church porch, and the bride is invited to approach the ladies on it at the date of the marriage. If she wants additional displays she will be expected to supply and arrange them herself.
Parking Parking is not permitted outside the lych gate. The school car park should be used (except Monday - Friday in term time) and the School Governors have requeste that a fee be paid directly to them. Please contact the school secretary on Hitchin 432080.		Collection During the service there is no collection. However, couples are encouraged to name a charity of their choice, to which the proceeds of a plate by the door will be split equally with the church.

Baptism Guidelines

Getting Married at St.Ippolyts Church

St.Ippolyts Parocial Church Council Child Protection Policy