Life Events
As a parish church, serving our community in West Dulwich and beyond, All Saints is here to journey alongside you as you grow in your story of life and faith. From the joy and celebration of baptism and marriage to the sadness and grief at the end of a life, we are supported by God’s love for each one of us.
We provide pastoral support in relation to bereavement in the form of twice yearly courses in late spring and winter. They consist of 5 to 6 sessions in small group confidential settings. If and when you feel ready to join a course, please contact Valerie for further information.
Valerie is also a member of Alanon, a 12-Step confidential programme which offers support for friends and relatives of alcoholics. She would be happy to provide further information to those suffering the effects of alcoholism in a friend or relative.
Baptisms
Baptism (or ‘christening’) marks the entry of a person into the Christian community of faith. We baptise members of the congregation, and those who live in the parish at 10 am Sunday Eucharist – although not in the two seasons of preparation: Advent (four weeks before Christmas) and Lent (six weeks before Easter). Most baptisms take place on the third Sunday of the month.
Adults and children from Year 6 upwards are baptised when they are Confirmed (see below).
If you would like a baptism at All Saints, just come to a Sunday service to chat to one of the clergy or contact Claire.
Baptism is free of charge, but involves a commitment to a new way of life in the Christian community. In due course, young children may wish to make their own formal declaration of faith, by being Confirmed.
Alternatively, a Thanksgiving Service is available for those who simply want to give thanks for the birth of a child.
The Church of England Christenings website is here.
Further information
Check which parish you live in
What happens in the baptism service?
Download the baptism form
Contact Claire, Baptism Coordinator, at baptisms@all-saints.org.uk.
Further reading
The baptism service
Some biblical references
Confirmation
Confirmations happen once a year, usually at Southwark Cathedral. Confirmation is an important statement of public commitment to the Christian faith, and like baptism is a sacrament – a sign of God’s grace.
Confirmation is open both adults and to young people who are Year 6 upwards at the time of the service. Separate courses for adults and young people take beforehand. The clergy are happy to discuss confirmation with you, either at the Parish Office or in church.
Further information
Frequently asked questions
The Church of England website
Speak to the Parish Office on 020 8676 4550
Further reading
The confirmation service
Some biblical references
Weddings
All Saints is a beautiful church in which to be married. We take time to get to know you and your family, and to plan and prepare for the service.
In order to be married at All Saints, or any Anglican church, there are some qualifying connections.
To begin the process, please contact the Parish Office. Once a time and date for the marriage are provisionally agreed, the Vicar or another priest will arrange to meet you. At this meeting, we will discuss a range of issues, and at further meetings we will agree the details of the service.
Further information
Check which parish you live in
Qualifying connections
Download the wedding form
Marriage service options
Visit Church of England website
Speak to the Parish Office on 020 8676 4550
Funerals
We can lead funeral services both in church and at local cemeteries and crematoria. We always spend time with the family of the deceased to make the funeral as personal as possible, and offer ongoing support and care if needed.
If you want to arrange a funeral service, please contact the clergy at the Parish Office. For further information, consult frequently asked questions.
If you want us to visit you after the service, please let us know. You are very welcome to attend our annual All Souls Requiem Eucharist, in which we remember those who have died. This is usually at 7.30 pm on the 2nd of November, or a nearby date. If you wish to be reminded of these services nearer the time, please contact the Parish Office on 020 8676 4550. If there is anything else we can do to provide support, please do let us know.
Further information
Frequently asked questions
Funeral service options
Speak to the Parish Office on 020 8676 4550