FAQs
What parish do I live in?
You can find this out immediately by using ‘A Church Near You’.
You can, of course, attend any Church of your choice but the Vicar or Rector of your Parish will be more than happy to answer any questions you have to do with the Christian faith and what your local Church can offer.
How much does it cost to be baptised/married/buried, and how do I go about it?
A Baptism will cost you nothing, but there are fees payable for marriages and funerals. For the latest charges check the central 'Church of England' website.
How many church schools are there in the diocese, and what are the rules for admission?
There are around 90 Church schools linked to the Diocese of Guildford, two of which are Secondary. To find out about admissions criteria for any particular Church school talk to the Head Teacher.
I have a calling. How can I be ordained for lay ministry?
The process of discernment is many-sided and what we feel individually has to be tested in the wider ‘Body of Christ’. If you feel drawn towards a vocation in the Church, whether lay or ordained, in the first instance you should talk to your incumbent who will outline how things could move forward.
Who decides the amount of the parish share and what is done with the money raised?
‘Parish Share’ enables the Church of England to function. The way it is apportioned is determined by the Diocesan Synod and the monies raised are used to provide clergy stipends, housing and pensions as well as the necessary parish resources and safeguards to enable and sustain the ministry of the Church.
How are clergy appointed?
There are now many different forms of clergy service – some part-time and unpaid and running alongside normal paid daily work so there is no single method for appointing clergy for service in a particular Church. Curates will be ‘placed’ by direction of the Bishop; a House-for-Duty Priest likewise; but generally, appointments to full incumbencies (or even roles like that of Archdeacon) are made these days by means of advertisements, shortlists and interviews.
Why does the Church of England baptise infants?
Baptism is a huge topic and can’t be satisfactorily discussed in a short FAQ slot! The baptism of infants (paedobaptism) goes back to the earliest years of the Church and is explained on the CofE website. Click here for details.
Who represents this diocese on the General Synod, and how were they appointed?
The Church of England is organized locally into Parishes (we have 163) and Deaneries (we have twelve), Dioceses (Guildford is one of 43 in England) and Provinces (Canterbury and York). Each Deanery has its own Synod and from these are appointed representatives to the Diocesan Synod which then seeks candidates and elects four Lay and four Clerical General Synod representatives to speak for the Diocese alongside our Bishops. General Synod meets twice each year: February in London and July in York.
What is diocesan policy on women priests, and why? How many female priests are there in the diocese?
The Diocese of Guildford was among the first to ordain women to priesthood and they represent a very large proportion of (at the last count over 30%) our priests. We have also been at the forefront of the campaign to see women as Bishops, a process which is now under way, although it may be several more years before the final barriers go down and the first women are consecrated as Bishops in the Church of England.
What is diocesan policy on gay clergy, and why?
Our policy on gay clergy is the same as that of the national Church.
Am I allowed to take Communion?
If you are a baptised member in good standing of any mainstream church you are welcome to share Communion in our churches.
I need help in finding a church to suit my particular outlook on life. Who can I talk to for a recommendation?
Check out your local parish church on ‘A Church Near You’ and talk to the incumbent who will be glad to advise you.
I know someone in crisis who needs help. Who can advise them?
Pastoral care is part of what your parish church offers. Local clergy may not be able to help directly in some pastoral issues but they may be able to advise who can.
I am thinking of getting married in Church.....
Click here for more information.
