Bringing your child to be baptised is a wonderful occasion. It is, however, also a big decision so it is important that you find out as much information as you can.
One of the first questions you might have is why are they sometimes referred to as christenings and sometimes as baptisms? The simple answer is that the service is called a christening and it is during that service that your child is baptised. You don't have to be christened yourself and you don't have to be a regular churchgoer.
We understand your child is precious to you as they are precious to God, and this could be the start of an amazing lifelong journey of faith for them and for you.
Visit the Church of England 'Christenings' website which has loads of great information for parents and godparents, and will answer a lot of your questions as well as any concerns which you may have.
To make arrangements for your child's baptism, please contact the Reverend Lara Bloom 01452 831527 or email and she will be able to discuss with you the next steps.
If you have just got engaged, then firstly congratulations! What a wonderful and exciting moment in your life.
Let's assume you are visiting this page as you have some questions, possibly about the practicalities of arranging a church wedding, but also very likely some questions about whether a church wedding is the right thing for you and your partner.
You can discuss any of these questions with the Reverend Lara Bloom who will be delighted to discuss your wedding plans with you.
Before contacting the Vicar, you may find the Church of England 'weddings' website helpful. It contains loads of really useful information and may well answer many of your queries.
When you are ready to make the next step of discussing your wedding, please contact the Reverend Lara on 01452 831527 or email .
A Church of England funeral is available to everyone, giving support before, during and after the service. We hope this page will be a helpful guide to answer some of your questions.
The Church of England 'Funerals' website has a lot of information explaining the help available, a service walkthrough, and guidance on how to arrange a funeral. It also answers questions you may have if attending a funeral, as well as a section on 'my funeral plans'.
Burials have been taking place in the Forest Edge benefice for hundreds of years. The churchyards at All Saints Longhope, St John the Baptist Huntley, St Andrews Churcham and St Michael and All Angels Bulley are all open and have space available for burials.
If you would like to arrange for the burial of a loved one in the churchyard, please speak in the first instance to the Reverend Lara Bloom on 01452 831527 or email who will be able to advise you further.
Sometimes families want to arrange for the ashes of a loved one to be buried in a Churchyard, either in a family grave or in a Garden of Remembrance. We can provide a short, grave-side service at which the remains of a loved one are laid to rest.
For more information, or to discuss any aspect of arranging a funeral for a loved one, please contact the Reverend Lara Bloom on 01452 831527 or email .
Churchyard Regulations can be found on the Diocese of Gloucester Churchyards page »
If you would like to find out more about the work of our benefice or have any questions, please contact our Priest in Charge - The Reverend Lara Bloom...
01452 831527
We take our duty to protect extremely seriously. Information about safeguarding arrangements in the Diocese of Gloucester, including contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, is available on the Diocesan website »
Our Parish Safeguarding Officers are...
Longhope: Judith Scott, 01452 831389
Huntley & May Hill: June Rollinson, 01452 830752
Churcham & Bulley: Frances Phillips, 01452 740040