Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals
Weddings
St Jude's hosts a limited number of weddings for couples who are not connected to St Jude's every year. If you are interested in being married at our beautiful heritage church, please contact weddings@stjudesbowral.org.au.
Weddings at St Jude's start at $3000 and include:
- Hire of the church for your date. Church doors will open 1 hour prior to your ceremony for set-up.
- Wedding rehearsal prior to the wedding (1 hour, typically the evening before your wedding)
- 30 minutes following your wedding for photos in front of the church.
- Wedding verger who can provide sound technician services
- Car parking
- Equipment hire and cleaning
- Coordination of the wedding documents (if a St Jude's minister is performing the ceremony)
Optional add-ons:
- If you wish to make use of our organ, you will need to make separate arrangements for an organist. We can provide you with contact details.
More information:
- A piano and an organ are available. Pre-recorded music may be streamed over the sound system.
- Depending on staff availability and your own connections, you may need to or wish to arrange for your own Anglican minister to perform your wedding ceremony. Under these circumstances, ministers must be approved by the Senior Minister of St Jude's.
- The rehearsal is for one hour and will be the night before your wedding unless otherwise arranged with the verger and minister
- All paperwork will be completed by the Anglican minister who is performing your ceremony; a copy of the NOIM will be needed two weeks before the wedding to ensure correct details are in the Registry Book, which is held at St Jude's
- Whilst we will try and accommodate your requests regarding your service, we reserve the right to refuse what we deem to be unacceptable or unreasonable.
Baptisms
We believe you and your family matter to God and he wants you as a family to know and put your trust in him. We are more than happy to offer a Service of Thanksgiving for the birth of your child. We want to encourage you in your commitment to your child.
A Thanksgiving Service
This is designed for people who are not members of the church and do not profess a faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In the service we acknowledge God’s gift of life and seek his blessing on their child and thank him for the birth of your child. Your child is appropriately named in the presence of family, godparents and friends, we pray for God’s blessing on your child as he or she grows up in His world and for His guidance in your role as parents. Parents and godparents receive a certificate to remember the special occasion.
Infant Baptism Services
Water baptism is only offered to people who profess faith in Christ and are attending church regularly, and to the children of such believers. Regular church attendance is one of the normal expressions of the true Christian life. Therefore, we do not offer baptism to adults, nor their children, who are not attending church regularly. (Likewise for subsequent children, even if an earlier child was baptised, but the family hasn’t attended regularly since.)
Wanting baptism for your child without going to church, is a bit like asking to wearing a life guards’ uniform at your local pool when you have never been a member of the swimming club nor been trained as a life guard. It would be wrong to say you are a life guard at the pool, if you aren’t actually part of the running of the swimming pool.
Our ministers are always happy to discuss your child’s Thanksgiving Service with you.
Please call 0476 244 433 or Contact Us for an appointment.
Baptism By Immersion.
As an Anglican church we also offer adults who are regular members of the church and profess Jesus Christ as Lord: baptism, and baptism by immersion.
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Funerals
Losing a loved one is always a difficult and emotional experience. At St Jude's, we seek to support families with compassion, care, and practical guidance during this time of grief.
As an Anglican church, our funeral services provide an opportunity to remember and give thanks for the life of the person who has died and to hear words of comfort and hope. Family members may also wish to contribute personal reflections if desired. As part of the service, we reflect on the Christian faith and the hope of eternal life made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our ministers are available to offer pastoral support and guidance as arrangements are made.
Planning a Funeral at St Jude's
If you would like to hold a funeral service at St Jude's, please follow the process below:
1. Contact a Funeral Director
Your first point of contact should be your chosen funeral director. They will assist you with the practical arrangements and liaise with the church on your behalf.
2. Confirm Availability
Your funeral director will contact the St Jude's church office to discuss the availability of the church building and ministry staff. Please note that requested dates and times cannot always be accommodated and will need to be confirmed by the office before any further funeral planning.
3. Planning the Service
Once a date has been confirmed, a meeting with your family is arranged with a St Jude's Minister. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the details of the funeral service, shaped by the Anglican Prayer Book Service, including readings, music, and any personal elements you would like included.
Additional Information
Organist
If you require an organist, please advise your funeral director during your initial planning meeting. Our church organist is not always available, so as much notice as possible is appreciated when considering music for a service.
External Ministers
Due to your own family and church connections, you may wish for another minister to conduct the funeral service. In these circumstances, all visiting ministers must be approved by the Senior Minister of St Jude's.
We understand that arranging a funeral can feel overwhelming while coping with loss. If you have questions about holding a funeral at St Jude's, our church office will be pleased to assist and guide you through the process.
Get In Touch With Us
Traditional Building:
Sunday 8:00am
Sunday 10:00am
Sunday 4:00pm
Auditorium:
Sunday 9:00am
Sunday 5:00pm
St Jude’s Anglican Church
38 Bendooley St,
Bowral NSW 2576
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 9-12pm
ABN: 47 044 202 152