Weddings
Marriage is one of the greatest joys of life. Jesus Christ himself was present at a wedding in Cana in Galilee where he performed his first miracle, changing water into wine. That transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary is a sign of the transformation of people’s lives that can be brought about by Christian marriage. Christianity understands marriage to be a lifelong commitment, for better and for worse, between a man and a woman, which is open to the bearing of children. Marriage is a wonderful, challenging and stretching adventure, and the church is very keen to provide proper preparation and support to couples who come to her to be married.
If you live within the parish boundaries or you are a member of our congregation, you are very welcome to be married at Liverpool Parish Church. We always encourage people from other parishes, however, to make their spiritual home in their local parish church. Our church’s location in the city centre – surrounded by hotels and other popular reception venues – means that the church is in considerable demand for weddings. Marriage is the beginning of a Christian commitment and so unless you have a legal entitlement to be married in the parish church (through residence) or are a member of our congregation it would seem sensible for you to seek marriage in the church nearest your home (check with www.acny.org.uk to find your parish church). We are always keen to welcome new members of the congregation and if you were to become part of our regular Sunday worshipping community then we would be happy to consider a future request for marriage at St Nick’s.
If you do not fulfil residence requirements and for whatever reason do not find yourself able to become part of our congregation, we can nevertheless offer a blessing in church after a civil marriage ceremony. This is particularly appropriate in situations where one of the people marrying is divorced (with a former spouse still living).
Sadly because of wider church regulations we are not currently able to bless civil partnerships. Gay people and their partners are very welcome at St Nick’s and can be assured of our prayers.
Please note that weddings are strongly discouraged during Lent to allow a greater focus on the austerity of the season. Marriage is a way of sharing in Christ’s resurrection and the union between him and his church, so is not suited to the time of year when the church is preparing for the celebration of Easter.
All enquiries about marriages should be made in the first instance to one of the parish clergy. They are available on Sunday mornings. You may wish to come to our parish worship at 0930, have coffee after the service, and when the clergy have finished greeting the congregation they may be available to speak with you. The clergy often have baptisms to do on Sundays or other services to take so you may wish to telephone or email Monday to Friday to make an actual appointment on a Sunday morning.