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We are a friendly, welcoming church grounded in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England. We treasure our heritage and tradition and are very strong believers in maintaining those ancient traditions, particularly in the areas of worship, liturgy and sacraments.
The Bishop of Exeter, Rt. Revd. Robert Attwell, and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rt. Revd. Jonathan Goodall, share the oversight of our Benefice.
St. Michael’s Church is a member of Forward in Faith and The Society of St. Wilfred and St. Hilda.
The Bishop of Exeter, Rt. Revd. Robert Attwell, and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rt. Revd. Jonathan Goodall, share the oversight of our Benefice.
St. Michael’s Church is a member of Forward in Faith and The Society of St. Wilfred and St. Hilda.
Forward in Faith
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The Society of St. Wilfred and St. Hilda
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On Sunday, Parish Eucharist with incense begins at 10am.
Weekday Eucharist is said on Thursday and Friday in St. James’ Chapel.
The Church is normally open from Monday to Saturday during daylight hours.
On Sunday, Parish Eucharist with incense begins at 10am.
Weekday Eucharist is said on Thursday and Friday in St. James’ Chapel.
The Church is normally open from Monday to Saturday during daylight hours.
Baptism of Children
We’re delighted you’re thinking of baptism for your child. Your child is precious to you and precious to God. At baptism you promise to raise your child to know God loves them, and to help them to follow Jesus as a member of the Church.
Just as you have welcomed your child into your family, and pledge your support and encouragement for all the years ahead, so in baptism the church welcomes them as a new member and pledges its support and encouragement as well. Together in this service, we form a partnership with God on their behalf.
Once you have contacted us to express an interest in baptism, we will contact you and will listen to what your hopes are, and talk about the commitment you are making on behalf of your child. We hope you will join us at a service, before your child is baptised.
What You Promise in Baptism
At the Baptism service, the minister will ask the parents and godparents:
Will you tell these children the stories of our faith?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Will you pray with and for your children?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Will you keep in touch with the church and its worship?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Do you turn to Christ?
Parents/godparents: I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
Parents/godparents: I repent
of my sins.
Do you renounce evil?
Parents/godparents: I renounce evil.
Just as you have welcomed your child into your family, and pledge your support and encouragement for all the years ahead, so in baptism the church welcomes them as a new member and pledges its support and encouragement as well. Together in this service, we form a partnership with God on their behalf.
Once you have contacted us to express an interest in baptism, we will contact you and will listen to what your hopes are, and talk about the commitment you are making on behalf of your child. We hope you will join us at a service, before your child is baptised.
What You Promise in Baptism
At the Baptism service, the minister will ask the parents and godparents:
Will you tell these children the stories of our faith?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Will you pray with and for your children?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Will you keep in touch with the church and its worship?
Parents/godparents: We promise that we will.
Do you turn to Christ?
Parents/godparents: I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
Parents/godparents: I repent
of my sins.
Do you renounce evil?
Parents/godparents: I renounce evil.
Confirmation
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey where those who have been baptised as children make a firm commitment to Christian discipleship. Adults too, may be baptised and then confirmed.
Through prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live as a disciple of Jesus and a member of God’s church.
For more information about upcoming confirmation classes and the Service of Confirmation, contact the vicar.
Through prayer and the laying on of hands by the bishop, the Church also asks God to give those being confirmed power, through the Holy Spirit, to live as a disciple of Jesus and a member of God’s church.
For more information about upcoming confirmation classes and the Service of Confirmation, contact the vicar.
Weddings
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You’re welcome to marry in church whatever your beliefs, whether or not you are baptised (christened) and whether or not you regularly go to church. We are also happy to conduct Thanksgivings or Renewal of Vows at a significant anniversary.
The Church of England has an excellent website, www.yourchurchwedding.org, which will help you to plan your wedding and answer your questions. If you would like to get married in St. Michael’s Great Torrington, we will do all we can to make your dreams possible. Link to our Wedding Request form For those who have been previously married and divorced, a full Service of Blessing, is possible following the legal requirements at a Registry Office. This service can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. If you plan to marry in another church, but live in Great Torrington, you will need to contact us about the reading of your ‘Banns of Marriage’. For more information, contact the vicar |
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Funerals
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person’s life here on earth.
Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God’s keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church or chapel at the crematorium.
For more information, contact the Vicar.
Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God’s keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church or chapel at the crematorium.
For more information, contact the Vicar.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great goodness.
As a father is tender towards his children,
so is the Lord tender to those who revere him.
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone
and its place will know it no more.
But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures
for ever and ever toward those that revere him
and his righteousness upon their children’s children.
slow to anger and of great goodness.
As a father is tender towards his children,
so is the Lord tender to those who revere him.
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass;
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone
and its place will know it no more.
But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures
for ever and ever toward those that revere him
and his righteousness upon their children’s children.
Ministry of Reconciliation
The Ministry of Reconciliation, sometimes called Confession is available to all who feel burdened with guilt. This ministry is offered in the name of Jesus Christ who always restored people to newness of life. Receiving this ministry can be a helpful step along the journey towards inner peace and restored relationships with God and others.
Anointing
The anointing (making of the Sign of the Cross in Holy Oil on the forehead and the hands) is a prayerful action to support and strengthen the sick and those in ill health. The clergy are always willing to visit those who are sick (at home or in hospital) and anoint them if requested.