Sacraments
Welcome to our Anglican community, where we celebrate life's most significant moments through the sacred sacraments. These sacraments are not just ceremonies, but profound expressions of faith, love, and hope. We invite you to join us in these holy rites, where we come together to bless new beginnings, unite in love, and honor the lives of those who have passed. Whether you are seeking to baptize a child, celebrate a wedding, or commemorate a loved one, our doors are open to you with warmth and grace. Come, be a part of our spiritual family, and experience the deep connection and peace that our sacraments bring.
Baptism • Weddings • Funerals • First Communions • Confirmation
Baptism
Baptism is one of the central sacraments of the Church. Through it, we believe that the baptised person is established in a new relationship with God and becomes a member of the Christian church. When we come forward for Baptism we are saying "yes" to God's love and desire for us to belong to the community of God's people. Baptisms are easy to arrange but should be booked in as soon as possible. To book a baptism and/or arrange a preparation meeting, please contact the Parish Office.
We welcome you and your child
The Anglican Parish of Warwick welcomes every child or adult for Baptism. We do this with a service of Thanksgiving. We are also pleased to welcome children into the ongoing life of the Church through Baptism.
A Service of Thanksgiving is also available to celebrate the birth of a child (without a Baptism).
Being baptised as an adult
We warmly welcome any unbaptised person who wishes to declare their faith in Christ through Baptism.
Baptism normally happens at of one of our worship services and follows a short period of preparation.
Baptisms are to be held on the Third Sunday of the Month, at the 8.30am Sunday Service.
For further inquiries, please contact the Parish Office.
Baptism Email for Parent Information for Anglican Parish of Warwick Website.pdf
FAQs
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We welcome for baptism any person who wishes to declare their allegiance to Jesus Christ. We also welcome infants and children whose parents choose to commit themselves to the promises of baptism.
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We thank God for this precious new life
We ask God to be with this child as he/she grows up
We ask God to help and encourage parents
We celebrate family life
Usually this is held as part of the third Sunday morning worship service at 8.30am at St. Mark's, please discuss alternate arrangements with the Parish Office.
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Baptism is the means by which a person of any age is incorporated into the faith community
Parents and godparents make faith promises on behalf of the child
Water is used as a symbol of God's cleansing and renewing power
The child is baptised into the Christian faith in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Parents and godparents promise to nurture and encourage the child in the Christian faith
All at the service welcome and pray for the new member of the Christian community
Baptism normally occurs within the Sunday service unless family circumstances dictate the necessity for alternative arrangements. Currently at St. Marks baptism occurs on the third Sunday of the month. Please check with the clergy regarding times.
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To share with parents the responsibility of making promises on behalf of the child
To work with parents to support and nurture the child in the Christian faith
To encourage the child to a point of personal ownership of the faith into which baptised
There are normally three Godparents – two female and one male for a girl and two male and one female for a boy, however this is not essential.
Because of the promises they will make; Church law requires that godparents have been baptised into the Christian church
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We welcome all those who seek the ministry of the church
The Service of Thanksgiving is open to all without restriction
Baptism requires (by Church law) that at least one parent is baptised in the Christian faith
We would encourage you to be involved in the life of the church as much as you are able and look forward to sharing your child's faith journey with you.
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A person is prepared for baptism through prayer and instruction. In the month prior to the baptism the candidate is anointed with the oil of catechumens at Sunday worship as a means of signifying the commencement of that preparation period. At that time the candidate is "set aside" and then upheld in prayer by the faith community. One of the clergy team will then instruct the candidate or their parents regarding the theology of baptism and its role in the life of the Christian community.
Weddings
We believe that marriage is a symbol of God's enduring love for his people, and of Christ's love for his Church. St Marks Church is a beautiful and popular venue for weddings however other churches within the parish may also be chosen. The service is always held according to the Rites of the Anglican Church of Australia (a beautifully worded service) and requires that it be celebrated by an Anglican priest. It may also be possible to arrange for other Anglican Clergy to celebrate if you wish. Or with permission wedding services may be conducted at St Mark's Church by a minister of another Christian Church, alongside our own clergy. If you wish to be married outside of Church, but to have our Clergy officiate, please confer with Clergy and the Parish Office.
For further information, please contact the Parish Office or read Happily Ever … Before and After - Information for Couples Planning To Marry
How do I apply?
A minimum of 30 days notice is required by the government however in practice at least three months is required for preparation and in busy times such as Spring and Autumn St. Marks is often heavily booked. Contact the parish and we will send you the necessary application forms and an information package.
Wedding Preparation
Church and government require that all persons entering into marriage undergo some form of preparation. Parish clergy are available for marriage preparation which involves a formal question and answer process followed by evaluation of responses and counselling where necessary.
How much does it Cost?
Currently the cost is $875 which includes marriage preparation, legal documentation, and celebrant, preparation of the church, church bells and the organist. A deposit of $100 is required to secure your booking.
Funerals
St. Mark's is a beautiful place for a final farewell to a loved one. We appreciate that here is usually only a short period for organising a funeral, and that it is a difficult time for all concerned. Our Clergy are experienced in caring for those who are grieving and in arranging funerals.
Our Clergy will work in conjunction with your chosen Funeral Directors to make the funeral arrangements. We will begin planning the traditional Anglican service, but it will be important for you to discuss how that can be adapted, to include prayers, hymns - songs, readings and speeches that will help to remember your loved one in a respectful way. A graveside service or cremation may also be arranged.
Catering - we are also able to offer excellent funeral catering from St. Mark's Ladies Guild, (please see flyer below).
For further information, please contact the Parish Office.
Admission to Holy Communion
(First Communion)
Baptised Christians aged 8 or above may be admitted to the sacrament of Holy Communion. This is recognised through a special service for admission to Holy Communion, taking place within our regular 8.30am Sunday service at St. Mark's. Contact Clergy or the Parish Office for further details.
Confirmation
A Service in which baptised Christians aged 15 or above confirm the promises that were made for them at Baptism. It is also a way that Christians who come from another tradition might become members of the Anglican Church. Confirmations may only be conducted by a Bishop on his annual Parish visit. Please contact the Parish Office or Clergy for further details.
(Candidates for baptism aged 15 or above are usually confirmed at the same time, so adult baptisms are often organised around a Confirmation Service).