Baptisms/Christenings
The Rector is pleased to baptise any child who lives in the parish whose parents wish to have the child baptised. The Rector is also pleased to baptise children from outside the parish, although consent for this must normally be arranged with the child’s local vicar. Parents who are interested in baptism should download the Baptism Application Form and read the notes on the form, which give more information. They should contact the Rector (01564 782098) to agree a date and time for the baptism. These usually take place during a Sunday service (particularly the Family Service at 11am on the first Sunday of the month) or at 12:30 on the second or fourth Sunday of the month. The Rector visits baptism parents in preparation for the baptism.
Children who are secondary school age or older are normally treated as adults if they wish to be baptised. Like adults they normally attend a five session course and are then baptised and confirmed by the Bishop. At least one opportunity for adult baptism and confirmation is offered each year, normally in or around the month of May.
The Family Service
11:00am on the first Sunday of each calendar month. These services are simpler, shorter, noisier, more interactive, more fun and generally more accessible to children. Occasionally we have additional Family Services, for example on Mothering Sunday and Good Friday.
Together@9.30
These services are informal, interactive and engaging; particularly suitable for children or younger adults. At each service we think about a different bible story, and have prayers in the Taizé style with candles and icons. There are pictures to look at and guitar style music. The service is called Together@9.30 because we gather at 9.30am for about 35 minutes. Together@9.30 takes place on the second and fourth Sunday of most months (check the schedule for this month on the St Mary’s Services page). It is a great way to start your Sunday!
Other Services
Children are welcome to attend any of our services, but the Family Service and Together@930 are usually the most suitable! The crib service on Christmas Eve is also popular.
Lapworth Church of England Primary School
In 1990 the school moved from next to the church to Station Lane. In 2020 the school was assessed to be “good” by both Ofsted and the Statutory Inspectors of Anglican Schools (SIAS). The school has a Christian ethos and seeks to promote Christian values among pupils and staff. There is a daily act of Collective Worship. The rector is a governor and leads Collective Worship at the school on Mondays. The school children come to St Mary’s on buses for a special service at the end of each term. The school is “voluntary controlled” which means that the church appoints some of the governors but has no responsibility for admissions policy.