Weddings i.e. Marriage Services
We have a very pretty church in Darenth and people have often expressed interest in getting married here, because of its setting or a family link. Until last year we could only legally marry a man and a woman in the church if they, either lived in the parish of Darenth, or worshipped here on a regular basis. This changed last year and the rules are now a lot easier for couple who wish to marry here and do have a link in St. Margaret's from the past.
There are new “qualifying connections”:
A person can have Banns called if they have one of the following qualifying connections:
(1) The person who is seeking to marry in the parish under the Measure:
· was baptised in the parish;
· has his or her confirmation recorded in a register belonging to the parish (i.e. in effect, he or she was prepared for confirmation in the parish);
· has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
· has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months.
(2) That person’s parent has at any time during the person’s lifetime:
· had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;
· habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
(3) That person’s parent or grandparent was married in the parish.
“parent” in (2) and (3) includes an adoptive parent or a person who has undertaken the care and upbringing of the person concerned, and “grandparent” in (3) has a corresponding meaning.
“married” in (3) refers to marriage according to the rites of the Church of England.
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The service takes place here in front of the Rood screen, where all your family and friends can witness the wonderful occasion.
Then we move up to the High Altar for the Prayers.
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